A man accused of attempting to murder his daughter’s ex-boyfriend outside his workplace has denied any wrongdoing – and claimed he was the one attacked.
John Quantrell is on trial at the High Court in Aberdeen accused of attacking Christopher Willett outside Trojan Crates in Torry on September 11 last year by hitting the car he was in with an axe, striking him with the weapon and running him over.
Earlier in the trial the jury heard from Mr Willett who claimed Quantrell came at him with the weapon and forced him to enter “survival mode” as he was fearing for his life.
It was claimed he was left in pools of blood on the street and came round to see paramedics treating him.
He also claimed there had been “animosity” with his ex-partner’s family and they had never liked him.
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But yesterday Quantrell took to the stand to give his version of events.
He claimed that on the day in question he had been helping a friend move house and was getting a lift back to his home in Regensburg Court in Sheddocksley when he saw Mr Willett leaving with his colleague Jason Steele.
He claimed he went over to speak to Mr Willett, 36, and an argument broke out and his upper body was pulled into the car.
He said the driver reversed the vehicle and he was dragged along before falling onto the pavement.
The 65-year-old told the court: “I got hit by the white car from behind, I got thrown on the road.”
He then claimed Mr Willett then came at him with an axe saying: “He hit my hand and the back of this arm – I nearly fainted when I felt the pain.
“He hit me again on the leg and on my chin.”
Defence counsel David Moggach asked his client: “What happened next?”
Quantrell replied: “The next thing the car came and hit him then he went flying across the street.”
Mr Moggach asked: “The car you had been a passenger in?”
He replied: “Yes I could not believe it.”
He claimed he had been left with a broken tooth and scarring on his face and legs as a result of the blows inflicted by Mr Willett.
But advocate depute Eric Robertson challenged his version of events.
He said: “On this particular day you and your friend decided together to go and inflict serious violence on Mr Willett.”
Quantrell replied: “No, I wish I hadn’t seen him that day.”
Quantrell denies the charge against him.
The trial, before Lord Clark, continues.
