A MAN stabbed in a fight had “survivable” injuries other than a wound which punctured his liver, a court has heard.

Andi Edwards is on trial accused of murdering 22-year-old hairdressing student Alex Woods at an address in Scott Road, Eastleigh.

The 37-year-old defendant denies murder, claiming he acted in self-defence.

Jury members were told that Mr Woods had a number of injuries to his body ranging from mild grazes and cuts to three stab wounds in his back.

Home Office pathologist Dr Basil Purdue told Winchester Crown Court that Mr Woods also suffered a fatal stab wound caused by a blade at least 14cm long, which hit his liver and caused a “steady, heavy flow of bleeding.”

He added that all of the other wounds on their own were “survivable”.

Prosecution counsel Richard Pratt QC asked whether cuts to Mr Woods’ hand and thumb could be indicative of a particular action, Dr Purdue replied: “That would be fairly typical of defensive type activity.”

Dr Purdue gave a cause of death as multiple stab wounds.

William Mousley, defending, asked Dr Purdue whether there was the possibility the stab wounds were self-inflicted.

Dr Purdue replied: “It can certainly be done but it is certainly exceptionally awkward.”

Toxicology results showed that Mr Woods had 166mg per 100ml of alcohol in his blood at the time of his death – just over twice the drink drive limit of 80.

The results also showed levels of methadone, which is used to treat addiction to opioids, Pregabalin, used to treat epilepsy and anxiety, and Diazapam.

The court previously heard that Edwards told the police in interviews how the two men had tussled after a day of drinking and taking drugs.

He said Mr Woods had been bitten by a dog, and in a fit of rage the victim had threatened to kill both the dog and the defendant.

The court heard that when asked if Edwards had killed Mr Woods, he replied: “I did not kill him the way you intend.”

Edwards added that after walking into the kitchen, Mr Woods allegedly went to grab a knife concealed in his trousers to slash the defendant, but Edwards grabbed his wrist.

The pair then allegedly fell to the floor in a scuffle, with Mr Woods dropping the knife at some point, but Edwards didn’t realise until they were on the floor and had grabbed another knife from the counter top.

Edwards told officers that during the fight.

Mr Woods had begun “sticking himself” and bit the defendant on the leg, after which Edwards said he stabbed the victim, slashed him across the back of the neck and throat.

The trial continues.