A job seeker attempted to stab a car wash boss with a kitchen knife after being refused work, a jury heard.

Alexandru Olteanu, 21, reportedly brandished the blade from his waistband and lunged at Arsen Gasturani at the Hersden Car Wash.

But the boss escaped and Ali was arrested after hiding behind a car, nearby a discarded kitchen knife was discovered.

The Romanian national denies the charge of attempted wounding with intent and told officers he found the serrated blade shortly before his arrest, on February 21.

Prosecutor Richard Jobb told the court: “Mr Gasturani was unable to offer him work because he didn’t have the necessary documentation.

“But Mr Olteanu began to pester Mr Gasturani who asked him to leave and attempted to walk away.

“Mr Olteanu reached into the waistband of his trousers and shouted at Mr Gasturani.

“He then approached him with the knife and tried to stab him.

“Fortunately the knife did not make contact (and) Mr Gasturani managed to run away."

Canterbury Crown Court heard on Monday how Mr Gasturani later called the police after spotting the suspect in nearby Sturry Road, as he returned home from the Island Road car wash.

'He said he took out a stick, not a knife, and Mr Gasturani threatened him with an air pistol' - Prosecutor Richard Jobb

Patrols soon discovered Olteanu crouched behind a car about a meter from a kitchen knife.

He pleaded guilty to possession of a bladed article at a previous hearing, the jury was told.

Judge Rupert Lowe heard Olteanu told police he threatened the car wash boss with a stick, rather than a knife.

Mr Jobb continued: “He said he worked with Mr Gasturani in the past and he owed him money.

“He said he took out a stick, not a knife, and Mr Gasturani threatened him with an air pistol.

“He said he found the knife shortly before being stopped by police.”

Olteanu, of Nicholas Road in Canterbury, also faces the lesser charge of threatening another with a blade if the jury is unable to reach a verdict.

The trial, expected to last two to three days, continues.

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