AN Ipswich man today told a court he had not realised police had wanted him for more than a year.Jason Hunter, 30, of Winterton Close, told Ipswich Crown Court he was oblivious there was a warrant for his arrest.

AN Ipswich man today told a court he had not realised police had wanted him for more than a year.

Jason Hunter, 30, of Winterton Close, told Ipswich Crown Court he was oblivious there was a warrant for his arrest. He said he was shocked earlier this year when he was charged with an offence which allegedly happened in December 2001.

Hunter said he had been in the Giles Tavern public house in Princes Street when the incident is said to have taken place. He said he had been regularly bullied by Ricky Clarke and had been attacked by him on December 21 2001 in the pub.

In return he had pushed him away and Mr Clarke had not retaliated.

Hunter said: "The next thing was that another lad was running towards me. I had never seen him before. He charged towards me with his hands out in front of him. I pushed out with my arms. I just pushed him, I didn't hit anybody."

The "lad", Matthew Saunders, suffered a cut head which needed five stitches. Witnesses said Mr Saunders had stepped in between Hunter and Mr Clarke to prevent a fight and Hunter had hit Mr Saunders over the head with a beer bottle.

Hunter denies causing Mr Saunders actual bodily harm. He said he had acted in self-defence and Mr Saunders had hit his head on a door when he stumbled backwards after he was pushed.

The trial continues.