A 34-year-old man has denied GBH after biting his mother-in-law's thumb claiming she and her husband were attacking him at the time.

Ashfaq Shah, 34, of Barclay Close, Watford, is standing trial for an allegation of the unlawful wounding of Robina Kuesar more than two years ago.

The court heard Mrs Kuesar has needed several operations after the incident in September, 2007.

Two interpreters have been required throughout the trial at St Albans Crown Court to interpret into Urdu for the deaf defendant.

Today the court was read a police interview conducted by officer in the case PC Michael Keogh with the assistance of Cameron Crowe, prosecuting.

In it Shah said that he was sitting watching television on September 3, 2007, when several people burst into his home and assaulted him.

He said: “They came straight at me. My cousin tried to stop my father-in-law hitting me.

“But my cousin could not stop him as my father-in-law is big and strong. I was being beaten up and people were slapping my face.

He said the assault stopped and his mother-in-law Mrs Kuesar came and sat next to him.

He said: “She started saying to my daughter I am dirty and I was really angry and told her to get out.

“My father-in-law started attacking me again. Someone got me around the neck and I could not breathe and someone was hitting me around the back of the head.”

He added: “Someone put their thumb in my mouth and I bit down and held on with my teeth.

“I could not use my hands because I had a big, heavy, powerful man kneeling on my chest.

“My mother-in-law was pulling at my hair and my father-in-law was punching me.

“My mother-in-law was still slapping me while she had her thumb in her mouth.

“When I realised it was bleeding I got down on my knees and begged her for forgiveness, using a begging gesture.

“I tried to hug her and kiss her on both cheeks, but my father-in-law slapped me again.

“I started to cry and the next thing I remember is the police came.”

Shah, represented by Neelim Sultan, denies GBH.

The trial continues.