Supreme Court yesterday.

Craig N. Astwood, 31, of North Court Avenue, has pleaded not guilty to unlawfully wounding Brian Oatley, 33, with intent to do grievous bodily harm and unlawfully doing bodily harm.

On Monday, Oatley told the court that on March 23 he and Astwood were working as groundsmen at the Mid Ocean Golf Club when Astwood hit him three times with a hoe. Oatley sustained several bruises, lacerations and abrasions to his body.

The incident occurred after Oatley claimed to have accidentally dumped soil out of the tractor he was operating, while Astwood was working in front sifting through soil.

But yesterday Astwood said: "When sifting through the sand I was inside the bucket of the tractor. That's the way I sift because I'm kind of short.

That's the only way I can get everything out.

"All of a sudden I dropped out of the bucket and landed on the sifter. "I thought it was all over for me because the rubble came down and I thought the bucket would come down on me. I was afraid.

"I know how the bucket operates. I know that it just doesn't come down quickly like that.'' Astwood said he picked up the hoe he had been using to sift the sand and stood on the platform looking at Oatley.

"He looked aware of what he did but acted like he wasn't, with a slight grin on his face. He came over to me and smiled and I think he apologised but as he walked away he rubbed his backside.

"I lost control and threw the hoe at him. I ran at him and hit him a few times and then stopped.'' Astwood said he retaliated because he thought Oatley was threatening his life, thinking it was funny. He said Oatley was known around the club as being childish and reckless.

Crown Counsel Ms Sharon Kenny asked Astwood if he had ever heard of "turning the other cheek'' and he replied: "Jesus Christ did that but let me tell you, nobody in this world is like him.

"I did not intend to hit him but I reacted and when I caught myself I stopped. I was freaking out because he wanted to kill me.'' Heavy equipment operator Roger M. Pimental stated that in order to dump the tractor bucket it would take a hard push from the knee which would have caused the bucket to tilt slowly.

"In order for the bucket to have tilted quickly the engine had to have been accelerated along with pushing the joystick.'' Lawyer for the accused Mr. Archie Warner said: "Oatley denied that accelerating and pushing the joystick would dump the bucket. This was no accident.

"Astwood snapped and the injuries followed. There is no evidence which can show the defendant intended to cause grievous bodily harm.'' The Hon. Mr. Justice Ground will sum up today.