A carpenter has told a court that he was stabbed in the neck with a “sharp blade” when he asked two brothers to pay him for work he had done.

Clifton Anderson demonstrated to jurors how Melvin Brangman slashed him across the throat outside the Brangman family home on Middle Road in Sandys.

The Supreme Court heard that Mr Anderson was attacked by Melvin Brangman, 47, at about 10.30am on June 18 last year. Michael Brangman, 45, is accused of being an accessory to the crime after the fact.

Yesterday Mr Anderson, 51, took the stand and described to the jury how he ran towards Four Star Pizza after the attack, with blood pouring from his neck.

“I had stopped to ask him [Melvin Brangman] about some funds for some work I had done for him,” Mr Anderson said. “He was down in the garden. I said, as calm as ever, ‘Mel, am I getting the money for the work I did?’.

“He told me I had already got my money. When he said that I turned towards my bike saying, ‘Don’t worry about it’.

“Then he said to me, ‘Let me call my brother Michael’.”

Mr Anderson told jurors he remained on the property to see what Michael Brangman would say, but instead of paying up, Melvin Brangman approached him and stabbed him in the neck with a “sharp blade”.

“Once I felt the pain in my neck I just ran,” Mr Anderson said. “I ran up to Four Star Pizza because I thought I would be able to get help.”

He described to jurors how a member of the public came to his aid and wrapped a shirt around his neck before he was taken to hospital in an ambulance.

Mr Anderson said he remained in hospital for two weeks after doctors had stitched him up.

Earlier, prosecutor Karen King told the court that forensic officers had found apparent blood stains in the yard outside the Brangmans’ home and on Michael Brangman’s trousers that were later found to match Mr Anderson’s DNA.

She added: “You will hear from police officers who attended the scene. These officers saw the defendants in their yard. They were near a patch of concrete that was wet and smelt strongly of bleach.”

Under cross-examination by lawyer Charles Richardson, Mr Anderson claimed that the Brangman family owed him “one hundred and something dollars” for work he had done for them “about two years” previously. Mr Richardson, who is representing both Brangman brothers, suggested to Mr Anderson that it was he who had pulled a knife on Melvin Brangman because he was angry that Mr Brangman had not paid up.

Mr Anderson replied: “No, never ever have I pulled a knife on anyone.”

Mr Richardson continued: “You pulled that knife and started making off saying, ‘I’m tired of you guys disrespecting me’ and you chased Melvin Brangman around the back.”

Mr Anderson replied: “No sir.”

Melvin Brangman denies wounding with intent to cause grievous bodily harm, while his brother Michael Brangman denies being an accessory to the crime after the fact.

The trial continues.

• It is The Royal Gazette’s policy not to allow comments on stories regarding criminal court cases. As we are legally liable for any slanderous or defamatory comments made on our website, this move is for our protection as well as that of our readers.