Bedford businessman Barry Bell 'tried to kill' Gary Brown
A man repeatedly stabbed his business partner because he feared he was about to find out he could not repay £40,000 owed to him, a court has heard.
Barry Bell is alleged to have attacked Gary Brown in a car parked in the centre of Bedford moments before they were due to meet a bank manager.
Mr Bell, 47, of Bedford, denies attempted murder at Luton Crown Court.
Mr Brown told the jury he said to Mr Bell: "What the hell are you doing, you are killing me."
He claimed Mr Bell repeatedly plunged a knife into his neck and chest in The Broadway car park on 17 May.
The pair had gone into business earlier in the year, but Mr Bell, of Lindisfarne Priory, soon owed his partner £40,000.
The court heard a £15,000 cheque had bounced in April, and the meeting with the bank manager had been arranged to "sort things out".
'In a rage'
Timothy Godfrey prosecuting, said: "It may be that he tried to kill Mr Brown because he knew his financial difficulties would unravel if they went into the bank."
He said Mr Bell was looking for something on the back seat of the vehicle they were in when Mr Brown suddenly felt a stabbing pain in the back of his neck.
The court heard Mr Bell lay across Mr Brown, pushing the knife into his chest.
"It felt to Mr Brown as if the defendant was using all his weight to push his hand as hard as he could," said Mr Godfrey.
"He appeared to be in a rage."
When a passerby intervened and the men got out of the car, Mr Bell struck Mr Brown about the head with an iron in a carrier bag, the court heard.
He then drove to a police station, where he was arrested by armed police, the court heard.
When interviewed, he claimed Mr Brown had the knife and had attacked him, and he had been acting in self defence.
The jury heard Mr Brown suffered six stab wounds to his neck and chest.
Mr Bell also denies causing grievous bodily harm with intent.
The trial continues.