A jury has heard how the trial of two men accused of being involved in a stabbing incident was abruptly halted last week after one of them took an overdose.

Darren Watson, 28, told Bradford Crown Court he had taken more than 100 tablets because he was unable to cope with the stress of the case.

He also claimed he was scared after co-defendant Simon Noble made a threat against him.

The court was told pub-goer Paul Murphy was stabbed in the throat during a late-night knife attack outside the Pile Bar club in the Manningham area in August 1998.

Noble, 28, of Hall Road, Eccleshill, Bradford, has pleaded not guilty to a charge of unlawfully wounding Mr Murphy with intent to do him grievous bodily harm.

Watson, of Rowlestone Rise, Eccleshill, Bradford, has denied doing an act intending to impede the prosecution of an offender.

It was alleged by the Crown that he tried to help Noble dispose of a knife used in the stabbing.

Giving evidence, he said he had sold a knife to Noble on an earlier occasion, but denied seeing or disposing of one that night.

He also rejected suggestions that he knew Noble was carrying a knife for self-protection following a separate incident.

The jury was told that Watson had taken an overdose last week after Noble threatened him. He said he took the threat seriously and felt scared. Asked by his barrister Nikki Peers why he had taken an overdose, he replied: "A few reasons really - fear, stress, just being unable to cope any more.''

The trial continues.