Exclusive:Evidence concludes in Cosham attempted murder trial - what has been said so far?
Abdul and Attiquallah Shinwari - who are not related - both deny attempted murder.
An attempted murder trial connected to a stabbing in Cosham is close to its conclusion.
Abdul and Attiquallah Shinwari are on trial at Portsmouth Crown Court, accused of attempted murder and grievous bodily harm after a stabbing in Hawthorn Crescent on March 12 this year. The former is also charged with possession of a bladed article in a public place. They both deny all charges.
Abdul, 20 from Alma Road, Southampton, was a student at the Highbury campus of the City of Portsmouth College at the time. Attiquallah, 23 from St Helen's Parade, Southsea, had previously studied there. The two are not related, but appeared in the dock together.
The Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) alleges that they were part of a group of six that attacked Sefatullah Ibrahimkhel and a friend - although they are the only two who face charges.
Today (Wednesday, September 30) the court heard concluding arguments from defence barristers in the case; once Judge James Newton-Price has summarised the case, the jury can be retired to consider a verdict.
Russell Pyne, prosecuting, previously told the jury that Attiquallah Shinwari had hold of Mr Ibrahimkhel, while Abdul Shinwari stabbed him.
There had been a previous falling-out between the parties involved, and the victim's attackers scattered after the stabbing took place. A knife blade was found at the scene with the victim's DNA on, while the handle - picked up near Cosham Railway Station - was found to have DNA that likely matched Abdul Shinwari's.
Meanwhile Keely Harvey, defending Abdul Shinwari, argued that it was Mr Ibrahimkhel and his friend who instigated the fight, chasing after the defendants after trying to call them over to Cosham Park. She then told the jury that the victim and his friend, Omid Mohammedi, spoke about the incident while the former was still in hospital.
She said: "It's between Abdul, Sefatullah and Omid as to who pulled the knife out. The only one who hasn't relied on information from others is Abdul.
"It [the stabbing] was the unintended outcome of Abdul struggling to protect himself. There was no attempt to kill."
Francisca Da Costa, representing Attiquallah Shinwari, added: "You can only convict Attiquallah if you're sure of his guilt. It's a high test - a criminal conviction is a serious thing. It's a life-long millstone around a person's neck.
"Attiquallah has nothing to prove. He didn't have to give evidence, but exposed himself to cross-examination because he has nothing to hide."
The jury will be asked by Judge Newton-Price to reach unanimous verdicts on all charges - but the verdicts do not have to be the same for both defendants.
(Proceeding)