TWO men accused of attacking a couple denied going to the flat to inflict serious injuries on their victims, a court heard.

Craig Goldworthy, 28, and Adam Graham, 22, told a jury they only went to the flat to talk to Paul Jones.

Graham told Cardiff Crown Court that he went to the flat in Ennerdale Court, Old Barn Estate, Newport, to have a word with Mr Jones about an alleged attack on his father, not to beat him up.

He said he merely wanted to ask Mr Jones to stay away from his dad, Michael Cornford, because he believed he had stabbed his dad in the back as he watched TV at home, the court heard.

But Graham claims that Mr Jones came at him as soon as he entered the flat, punched him in the face and they ended up wrestling.

He said Goldworthy produced a metal pole and started hitting Mr Jones with it but he tried to stop Goldworthy attacking Mr Jones with the 6in iron bar.

He said that the weapon fell, he picked it up and the pair ran out of the flat before being arrested by police.

Goldworthy told the court he went to the flat with Graham onDecember2 last year believing they were going to get drugs. He said he armed himself with a metal bar he found outside the flat after Graham said they might get stabbed.

He said he used the pole to get Mr Jones off Graham after the two wrestled, adding he did not intend to cause him severe injuries.

He said: “I panicked. For some reason I got really scared. I pulled out the bar that was in my pocket and I hit Mr Jones. I thought Adam might be stabbed being in the state I was in.”

Mr Jones was later taken to Royal Gwent Hospital with lacerations to the head.

Graham, of no fixed address, has already pleaded guilty to common assault and unlawful imprisonment against Rachelle Shaw, Mr Jones’ girlfriend.

Goldworthy, of no fixed address, has admitted one count of assault causing grievous bodily harm against Mr Jones.

They both deny one count of wounding with intent against Mr Jones and aggravated burglary.

Proceeding.