A HOTEL barman was stabbed in an Oxford street after an argument with a stranger in a bus queue, a court heard.

Oxford Crown Court heard Ahmed Aw-Adam, 32, slashed Raoul Ntaganya in the arm during a fight in Howard Street, East Oxford.

Henry James, prosecuting, said Aw-Adam followed Mr Ntaganya after the pair got off a bus in Cowley Road last February.

Mr James said the dispute started after Mr Ntaganya, who needed surgery after the alleged attack, tried to shelter from the rain while waiting for a bus in the city centre.

He said: "He tried to shelter in a doorway where there was another man blocking the doorway and he asked him to move."

The court heard Aw-Ahmed, of no fixed address, swore and refused to move - prompting Mr Ntaganya to try to start a fight with him as they got off the bus in Cowley Road.

Mr Ntaganya told the court: "I headed towards Howard Street and he went in the opposite direction.

"I thought we were both just going to go home.

"As I was heading towards my house I turned around and I saw him behind me.

"He had a smile on his face."

Mr Ntaganya, who was 21 at the time of the attack, said he kicked Aw-Ahmed in the leg before punching him twice in the face - but didn't realise he had been stabbed until he got home and saw his arm was bleeding.

Under cross-examination Mr Ntaganya admitted he had been drunk and wanted to start a fight, but denied suggestions he had followed Aw-Ahmed - rather than the other way around.

Colin McCarraher, defending, said Aw-Adam had tried to avoid a fight because he was frightened.

Aw-Adam denies wounding with intent.

The trial continues.