Update: 5.25pm

A MAN who stabbed his cousin four times in a Newport car wash has been cleared of attempted murder but found guilty of causing grievous bodily harm with intent.

Albanian-born Albert Matmuja, of Newnham Place in Cwmbran, was on trial at Cardiff Crown Court accused of the attempted murder of Ardjan Matmuja in an incident on Tregwilyn Road in Rogerstone, on June 20 last year.

Earlier this week the jury heard the father-of-three stabbed Ardjan Matmuja four times after the pair fought at the Star Car Wash, Criddle’s Garage.

The jury of eight men and four women were sent out to deliberate earlier this morning and unanimously found the defendant not guilty of attempted murder, but guilty of the alternative charge of causing GBH with intent. He had denied both charges.

Albert Matmuja claimed he had acted in self-defence when he stabbed his cousin with a knife, because he felt his life was in "big danger".

The prosecution claimed the fact Albert Matmuja stabbed his cousin more than once proved he intended to cause serious harm.

Prosecutor Mike Hammett said the defendant told police "I was losing my mind when I saw the blood [from his cut lip after being punched to the ground by Ardjan]" and suggested it was he who had gone after his cousin.

Mr Hammett, during his cross-examination of the defendant on Thursday, claimed Albert was "incensed" when he saw blood coming from his own mouth after being punched by his cousin.

He said he had become increasingly angry with Ardjan after a series of incidents in the lead up to the attack on June 20.

The defendant told jurors that three or four men had been with Ardjan when he was attacked, something he did not tell police during interview because he "didn't know the importance" of telling them, he said.

Ardjan Matmuja sustained stab wounds to the groin, back, left leg, and under the armpit as a result of the attack.

The court heard he was placed on intensive care following a blood transfusion after losing a significant amount of blood, and doctors said “without immediate intervention he would have died”.

The defendant was remanded in custody and Judge Eleri Rees adjourned the sentencing until the week commencing May 26 in order for a pre-sentence report and a full victim impact statement to be prepared.

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A MAN accused was today found not guilty of attempted murder of his cousin at a Newport car wash,

Albanian-born Albert Matmuja was cleared of attempting to murder Ardjan Matmuja, but was found guilty of causing grievous bodily harm with intent.

Matmuja, of Newnham Place in Cwmbran, was on trial at Cardiff Crown Court accused after the incident on Tregwilyn Road in Rogerstone, on June 20 last year.