A man accused of the attempted murder of Jelani (Roots) Butterfield at Dockyard?s Club Malabar in December 2002 was seen following the victim into the club?s toilets, the Supreme Court heard yesterday.

Brandon (Cal) Barnes Brockett, 21, of Farm Lane in Warwick has pleaded not guilty to charges of attempted murder and wounding with intent to cause grievous bodily harm.

Mr. Butterfield told the court on Thursday he was attacked from behind with a knife by Brockett in the early hours of December 23 and, despite his pleas for mercy, was stabbed once more in the armpit and cut on his left hand.

He was rushed to hospital soon after where his ?life threatening? injuries were operated upon by surgeons.

Yesterday a Crown witness testified that at between 2.15 and 2.30 a.m, Mr. Butterfield left the dance floor and entered the men?s toilet situated in the club?s entrance foyer.

Brockett, the witness claimed, followed Mr. Butterfield from the dance floor along with an unidentified accomplice, before going into the bathroom while the second man guarded the door.

The witness said loud noises could then be heard from the bathroom?s interior which ?sounded as if someone was in a lot of pain?, with Brockett calmly emerging a few minutes later sporting ?specks? of blood on his shirt.

Under cross examination by defence counsel Victoria Pearman, the witness admitted it was not possible to see directly into the bathroom from the foyer ? although the individual strenuously denied the suggestion that the account provided was ?mere speculation? and designed to ?assist? Mr. Butterfield?s accusation. The witness did admit, however, to have been convicted of credit card fraud at the age of 18 ? but argued this in no way undermined the veracity of the testimony.

Meanwhile Waneeka Butterfield, another club-goer that night, told the court she saw Mr. Butterfield at ?around midnight? when he was simply ?socialising and having a good time?.

At around 2.15 a.m she heard shouts that a fight had broken out in the men?s bathroom, and when she went to look for herself, saw the club?s bouncers carrying Mr. Butterfield outside ?with blood all over him?.

The trial continues on Monday morning in front of Puisne Judge Carlisle Greaves, when the Crown, represented by Wayne Caines and Department of Public Prosecutions consultant Kulandra Ratneser, is expected to conclude its case.