A MAN was repeatedly slashed in the face with a knife because his attacker thought he had flirted with his girlfriend, a jury at Bradford Crown Court heard today.

Anthony Wake was wounded with the weapon when he got into a street fight with Simon Tillotson after they had both been drinking, it is alleged.

Mr Wake suffered slash injuries to his face and neck in the violence, in Braithwaite Avenue, Keighley, in the early hours of June 20 last year, prosecutor Clare Walsh said.

Tillotson, 42, of Helme Lane, Meltham, near Huddersfield, pleads not guilty to unlawfully and maliciously wounding Mr Wake with intent to do him grievous bodily harm.

He also denies the less serious, alternative, charge of unlawful wounding.

Mrs Walsh told the court that Tillotson and a male friend spent the evening before the alleged attack watching an England football match and drinking beer.

They then visited a flat where Mr Wake was one of the party.

Mrs Walsh said he was drunk but he was aware of what was going on around him.

After he left the address at about 1.40am, Tillotson accused him of flirting with Joanne Sinfield, who had been at the property.

It is alleged that Tillotson punched Mr Wake in the face and he fought back.

The jury was told that Tillotson then produced a knife and swung it repeatedly at Mr Wake's head and neck, causing slicing injuries.

He then ran away, leaving Mr Wake bleeding badly. He was treated in hospital and the defendant was arrested soon afterwards.

Mrs Walsh said Tillotson made no comment when he was questioned by the police.

She said a baseball cap found near the scene had a DNA profile matching that of the defendant.

Tillotson says he was not there and had nothing to do with fight.

"The issue here is whether Mr Tillotson has been correctly identified," Mrs Walsh told the jury.

The trial continues.