A SOLDIER has told a Darwin court that the moment a glass was smashed into his face during an alleged nightclub attack, destroying his left eye, had been “etched into” his mind.

Prison guard Te Tuhi Puru Westrupp, 43, has pleaded not guilty to one count of unlawfully causing serious harm to Andrew Blain on June 22 last year.

On the second day of the trial in the Northern Territory Supreme Court, the jury heard Mr Blain was drinking at the Lost Ark when he bumped into Mr Westrupp about 2am.

“It wasn’t hip and shoulder like when you play football. It was just a bump,” Mr Blain told the court.

But defence lawyer Peter Elliott, QC, said the bump happened with such force that it knocked his client onto a table.

He also suggested there was a brief scuffle during which Mr Blain “ran or lunged” at Mr Westrupp.

“At the time (the alleged glass attack) occurred you were running towards him?” Mr Elliott asked.

“No,” Mr Blain replied.

“Are you sure about that?”

Mr Blain replied: “Positive … it is etched into my mind.

“When a glass comes towards your face you are pretty much aware of it.”

Crown prosecutor Sally Ozolins yesterday said it had been accepted as fact that Mr Westrupp had hit Mr Blain, but it was up to the jury to decide whether the blow was justified, necessary or “intentionally delivered in the heat of the moment”.

The trial before Justice Trevor Olsson continues

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