LEAVING his coat behind in his local pub nearly cost a man his life, a court heard last week.

Jamie Edward Booth, of Lincoln Square, Widnes, was slashed in the side with a Stanley knife by a stranger demanding money.

Mr Booth told Warrington Crown Court he was walking home for the second time that night having gone back to the Major's Arms in Millfield Road for his coat.

A man approached him from behind demanding money and slashed at him with what Mr Booth described as "an orange-handled Stanley knife" to the jury.

Police later arrested Stuart Thomas James, 27, of Belvoir Road, Widnes, and charged him with unlawful wounding with intent to cause grievous bodily harm, to which he pleaded, and was subsequently found, not guilty.

The jury heard there was no forensic link between items taken from Mr James' address and the incident, which took place at around 10.35pm on June 24.

Mr Booth had been watching England versus Portugal with his girlfriend, Louise Wakefield, before walking home along Millfield Road towards Peelhouse Lane.

Speaking about his injuries he told the court: "I was wearing my white England top that night but it wasn't white when I got home."

Prosecuting, Mr Henell, said: "Mr James was trying to do Mr Booth some real mischief with that knife."

Mr Booth had picked out Mr James as his attacker in a police video identity parade but defending, Mr Christie said that the description he had given police - white, 5'8, slim to medium build - didn't match that of his 5'6, heavily-built client.

He said: "I put it to you that you picked the wrong person.

"We have all been in situations where we have mistaken someone for someone else.

"We can usually laugh it off but not in this case."

Verdict: Not guilty.