by Keith Hunt

A long-running dispute over an unpaid debt erupted in violence with a stabbing outside supermarket car park, a court heard.

Marc Lloyd was left with a permanently scarred arm after Alan Brooks slashed him with a knife as he sat in his car with his daughter at traffic lights.

Brooks, of Temple Way, East Malling, denied wounding Mr Lloyd with intent to cause grievous bodily harm.

But during the trial Brooks admitted a lesser charge of unlawful wounding and the plea was accepted by the prosecution.

It was then revealed that Brooks was jailed for six years in 2005 for wounding with intent.

Having been released on licence, he was recalled to prison to serve the remainder of the sentence.

Maidstone Crown Court heard in the latest case Brooks, 35, was the half-brother of Mr Lloyd's wife Linda.

Deepak Kapur, prosecuting, said some years ago, when Brooks was homeless, the couple gave him accommodation, but he stole jewellery from them.

He agreed to repay them, but never did.

The matter came to a head on March 27 after Mr Lloyd went shopping with his 14-year-old daughter.

The prosecutor said Brooks was also at the store and the only item he bought was a knife.

Mr Lloyd and his daughter were waiting at traffic lights when Brooks ran towards them and threatened: "You're going to get it now."

Mr Lloyd tried to open his door but was not able to do so.

"He then produced the knife, threw his arm back and thrust it with force into the car," said Mr Kapur.

"Mr Lloyd felt something strike his arm and saw the knife."

Brooks ran off, discarding the weapon. He went to a friend's home and was arrested there the next morning.

Mr Lloyd was taken to Maidstone Hospital and treated for a cut about 7cm long and 4cm deep.

Brooks claimed he heard Mr Lloyd unclip his seatbelt and thought he was going to be attacked. He said he waved the knife around to scare the victim.

Judge Philip St John-Stevens adjourned sentence until November 11. He warned he was considering an extended prison sentence.