Accused denies he was at scene of pub stabbing

A TEENAGER accused of stabbing three men outside a pub has told a court it was a case of mistaken identity as he was not there.

Lemoul Ake, 18, denies wounding with intent and unlawful wounding and is on trial at Cardiff Crown Court.

Asked about the day in question, he replied: “It was just another day.”

The court heard the incident occurred outside the Ivor Davies pub on Cowbridge Road East in Canton, Cardiff, on January 21.

Prosecutors said friends Kieran Roberts, Ashley Stokes and his brother James Stokes were left with serious stab wounds.

Hilary Roberts, defending, asked his client if he was present at the scene and Ake replied: “I was not there.”

Ake claims he was not the attacker but in fact a victim of the attacker, whom he says stole his backpack.

He told the jury he received a call from “a mate” asking him to meet behind Tesco on Cowbridge Road East and was “robbed” when he arrived.

Asked to state the name of his friend, he said: “I don’t feel he should be involved. Nothing personal judge.”

Questioned about what was inside his rucksack, he said: “I don’t feel that has anything to do with it. It was just a couple of toothbrushes.”

During cross-examination, prosecutor Nigel Fryer asked why he arranged to meet the man behind Tesco. The defendant replied: “He wanted something off me.”

Mr Fryer questioned why he was not able to give a description of the man, adding: “Is it because you are simply making up your evidence and you do not know what to say?”

Ake replied: “I do not feel the need to do that judge.”

Asked why he could not describe the knife used by the alleged attacker – whether it was a penknife, kitchen knife or machete – he replied: “It happened too quick.”

The defendant stated he could not remember how he suffered an injury to his hand.

Questioned about why he did not report the alleged robbery to the police, he said: “I didn’t want to escalate the problem.”

Mr Fryer described the alleged attacker as “a mystery man” and suggested he did not exist.

The court heard the defendant was caught by police with an 8in kitchen knife in January 2016, but he said: “That is the past.”

Mr Fryer said: “You have come up with a very poor set of lies.”

The defendant replied: “That correct judge.”

Ake, 18, who does not have a fixed address, denies three counts of wounding with intent and three of unlawful wounding.

The trial continues. is not