Traveller accused of stabbing in Shropshire says he was ambushed

David Price denies plunging a knife in to the chest of Ashley Davies during a fracas near the travellers' camp in Craven Arms – and said that he is being "framed" for the crime.

Mr Davies, 20, spent eight days in hospital after undergoing surgery for a stab wound in April 2013. The prosecution at Stafford Crown Court allege the knife attack was committed by David Price, when his teenage son Jim was fighting with Mr Davies.

David Price, 44, formerly of the caravan park in Craven Arms, denies unlawfully wounding Mr Davies with intent to do him grievous bodily harm and an alternative charge of unlawful wounding.

Giving evidence, the defendant told the jury he believed he had been set up for an ambush. He said that when he drove up to the field near where Mr Davies was stabbed, he did not get out of his car.

The jury has heard that a number of local young people were at the field off Watling Street on April 30 to watch a horse being broken in.

Some have described seeing David Price get out of his car, approach Mr Davies and lunge at him. One witness, Cameryn Hollick, said she saw Price with a knife in his hand.

Miss Cathlyn Orchard, cross-examining Price, said: "It's been put to all the witnesses what they were doing there was an ambush. Is that your case?" "It seems to be," Price replied.

"To get you away from the traveller's site to attack you?" "Yes," said the defendant.

Judge Mark Eades asked Price if he thought "all the witnesses are framing you?" "That's what it seems like," replied Price.

In evidence, Price said before the stabbing took place two cars drove on to the site and someone threatened his wife that their horses would be turned loose or "their throats cut out".

As a result, he drove up to the field with a friend and when they got there, his son Jim was already involved in a fight. He tried to get out, but someone slammed the door shut and then the side of his car was kicked in. He then drove off towards the home of the youth who had damaged the car to tell his father what he had done.

"I never got out of the motor. I never touched any of the youths or young girls up there. I don't know what happened up there," said Price.

Miss Orchard alleged the fight with Mr Davies and the stabbing followed an earlier incident on April 11 when a car belonging to a local man had been damaged and Price's younger son, David Jnr, had been hurt. Price agreed that his family had been presented with a bill for £950 and they weren't going to pay.

The case continues.