A 57-year-old man testified yesterday that he lost consciousness after he was chopped several times while on a fishing trip at a river five years ago.

Vernon Karim, who worked as a general labourer, told Justice Ronnie Boodoosingh and a nine-member jury with two alternates in the San Fernando Fourth Assize Court, that he was now unable to use his left hand.

Sitting on a chair while giving evidence, Karim said he and 29-year-old Kumar Ali left Ali's home at North Boundary Trace, Ecclesville, Rio Claro, on February 24, 2003 and headed to the river a short distance away. There they met Fazal Khan, 36, sitting on two pieces of wood near a tree.

Karim, also known as "Mutt", told the court that Khan, who is charged with attempted murder, threw him a fishing rod and told him to fish. Karim said he told Khan he was not fishing. Khan, the court heard, started quarrelling. "I tell Kumar I going back by him," Karim said.

"Fazal said: 'Don't let me meet you nowhere.' I leave."

Karim said while leaving, he looked back and saw Khan coming towards him with a cutlass in his hand. "I started to run to see if I get a piece of wood to defend myself. He chop me on my right foot. I get one chop on my left foot, chop in my head and on my left hand."

Ali, who also testified yesterday, said he saw Khan "chopping up the man". "I bawl out: 'Fazal, Fazal, leave the man'," Ali said.

"He (Khan) turned around, put his finger on his lip and told me 'shoo'. I run out the road and went to the nearest neighbour and called the police."

Karim was taken to the Rio Claro Health Centre where he was examined and transferred to the San Fernando General Hospital.

The trial continues today.