A MAN broke down in tears as he recalled the moment a “psycho” stabbed him multiple times in a bold, daylight attack.

Gary Cogman, 62, of Haven Road, Canvey, is on trial for stabbing former friend Matthew Storer.

Mr Storer took to the witness box at Basildon Crown Court yesterday and became visibly upset when recounting the attack before a jury of six men and six women.

The court heard Cogman, who has a boat at Smallgains Marina, Canvey, and used to let one to Mr Storer, had phoned Mr Storer and asked him if he could pick up some tobacco for him.

Mr Storer said on his way to see Cogman, he had stopped by an old friend’s boat to catch up and this is what angered the defendant.

He said: “He was walking along the jetty with a knife, bold as brass with the blade held upwards.

“I told my friend to stay on her boat and I thought I could calm him down.

“He seemed really angry and a bit psycho. I think he was mad I had seen my friend first. He was shouting profanities about her and had the hump because I had gone to see her.

“I was just trying to calm him down and raised my hands up by my head with my palms facing out and was like ‘woah calm down Gary, what are you doing’.

“He didn’t calm down and that’s when he stabbed me.”

Mr Storer broke down in tears and became inconsolable, resulting in a break in proceedings.

Prosecutor Robin Griffiths told the jury Cogman attacked Mr Storer with the knife multiple times before Mr Storer fell back off the jetty at the marina at which point he lost consciousness on April 21.

Mr Griffiths said: “Mr Storer was in a pretty woeful state with blood seeping out of various parts of his body.”

He suffered stab wounds to his shoulder and chest as well as defensive wounds on his arms and hands.

Mr Storer, 43, was airlifted to hospital where he was treated for his injuries, some of which were serious enough to require surgery.

Cogman, who appeared on one crutch and wearing a prison-issue red tracksuit, told police he feared for his life and acted in self-defence.

The court heard after being arrested, he was interviewed and told investigators Mr Storer had been storming towards him and looked confrontational.

Mr Griffiths said: “He said he had seen Mr Storer walking towards him in an aggressive manner and he feared for his own safety and so picked up a knife and put it in his pocket.

“As Mr Storer continued to advance he felt he had no option but to brandish the knife.

“There was a flailing of arms and Mr Cogman was in fear of being assaulted.

“The defendant is saying self-defence. One is permitted to use a reasonable degree of force if in genuine fear of being attacked.

“The crown’s case is that arming himself and then using it was far from being a reasonable use of force.”

Gary Cogman denies one count of wounding with intent.

The trial at Basildon Crown Court continues.