Man 'armed with three knives tried to kill brother' in front of police

Gareth Cable pulled out a knife during a ‘childish’ argument with James Cable, in the hallway of their sister’s home, prosecutors allege.

The 41-year-old defendant looked on from the dock as Wolverhampton Crown Court heard how he plunged the blade deep through his brother’s hand and slashed him across his face at the Walsall property.

Prosecutor Mr Dean Kershaw said: “There may be lots of regret in this case. But at the time he was thrusting that knife into his brother’s face, we say he intended to kill him.”

The brothers were at the home on the Yew Tree Estate when police were called to a ‘domestic incident’ on February 23.

Officers saw the brothers arguing at the Birchfield Way property but were unaware Gareth Cable had a knife in his pocket and two blades in his jacket, the court was told.

The defendant, of Norton Crescent in Bordesley Green, Birmingham, brandished a pink-handled flick knife before pushing his brother into the hall and jabbing him to the face with it as he lay on the floor, the court heard.

He then slashed his victim with a blade across the nose and ‘sliced’ through tendons and nerves as he repeatedly stabbed his brother, who may lose the use of his hand, Mr Kershaw said.

Police only managed to bring the attack to an end when an officer tasered Gareth Cable in the back, allowing his injured brother to flee and take refuge in a police car.

Mr Kershaw added: “[The argument] all seemed a bit petty, a bit of tit for tat, a little bit childish. But it escalated when this defendant produced a knife and attacked his brother with it in the presence of everybody there."

The prosecutor went on to reveal Gareth Cable alleged his brother had armed himself with a gun at the property but then refused to answer questions about the alleged weapon when quizzed by police in interview.

He added: "We don't accept that there was a gun."

Jurors were told the defendant accepts he had a black-handled kitchen knife and stabbed his brother with a pink-handled knife.

Defending, Mr Oliver Woolhouse, said the defendant did not intend to kill his brother, and added: “[The] Stanley knife was a work knife, which had remained in his pocket.”

Cable denies attempted murder and having an article with a blade or a point – namely a Stanley knife. The trial continues.