A TEENAGER accused of slashing a man's neck with a 12-inch kitchen knife told a jury that he could not recall the incident because he was confused after six pints of lager.

Timothy Bendall said that he had used the knife to take the top off drink bottles. Although he disliked his victim, he had not intended to kill him.

Bendall, 17, of Mason Road, Kidderminster, pleads not guilty at Worcester Crown Court to attempting to murder 22-year-old Richard Hogg on August 14 last year.

The jury has been told that Bendall has already pleaded guilty to a charge of wounding with intent and taking Mr Hogg's car without consent.

Prosecutor David Iles said that the pair had been playing football together at Bewdley Leisure Centre a few hours before the attack. Mr Hogg, who had given Bendall a lift, said he became increasingly concerned about his passenger's behaviour as they drove round.

He added: "He was on a high and his behaviour I found really odd. I thought after tonight when I drop him off I don't want to see him again'."

He was terrified when Bendall came at him with the knife. "It was like nothing I had seen before," he said. "His eyes had just complete hatred for me and I don't know why."

Bendall told the court that he believed that Mr Hogg was a paedophile because of his interest in young girls but had not tried to kill him. But his hatred was not a motive for wanting Mr Hogg dead.

He alleged there had been a fight outside the car when he had been punched in the mouth and ended up on the bonnet. He accepted that he had cut Mr Hogg but could not remember how it happened. He admitted driving off in Mr Hogg's car and was arrested later at Droitwich rail station.

Bendall, who moved from Worcester to Kidderminster three months before the incident, said he was "upset, confused and very drunk" and could not remember saying he wanted to kill Mr Hogg.

A 12-year-old girl called by the defence told the court that she had seen Bendall use the knife to open bottles of beer.

The trial continues.