At Oxford Crown Court today (Wednesday), witnesses described defendant Ian Holland of Edinburgh Way, Banbury, as "aggressive" and "intimidating".

Mr Holland is charged with causing grievous bodily harm with intent and the attempted murder of Adam Dickson, who was repeatedly described as an "amazing friend" who "would do anything for anyone".

Mr Dickson was found on the driveway of his parents' Adderbury home in June last year following a night out with friends.

In a statement read to the court, his father Roy relived the moment he and his wife Janet found their son collapsed outside.

He said the couple were awoken at about 3.15am by a man's shout and went outside to investigate.

"As soon as we stepped outside of the house, within just a few feet I could see Adam laid on his side. He was facing the house and he looked like he was in the recovery position.

"Although it was dark it was light enough for me to see a pool of blood at the top of his head. I rushed over to him and called his name. Then I took hold of him."

During the second day of the trial, the court heard that on the evening prior to the attack, Mr Dickson had behaved normally and had not seem worried or concerned.

He had agreed to take his lifelong pal - Mr Holland's ex girlfriend - Lisa Cebral back to her home in Kings Sutton. Mr Dickson had not been drinking alcohol as he had pre-arranged the lift with Miss Cebral, who had been among his group and who had also seemed untroubled.

In a statement read to the court, Cindy Noad - a friend of Mr Dickson for about 16 years - described him as "really easy to talk to and very approachable".

She said: "I don't know anyone with a grudge or dislike of Adam, male or female.

"He is really inoffensive. In fact, sometimes people take advantage of his good nature."

Ms Noad's sister Sara Noad, another friend of Mr Dickinson, said in her statement: "Adam is an amazing friend and so caring. He would do anything for anyone."

In contrast to Mr Dickson's gentle character, Mr Holland was described by a former partner as "intimidating".

Amanda Adams dated Mr Holland for about six months in 2000 and similar to Miss Cebral, who gave evidence yesterday (Monday), said he refused to accept when the relationship was over.

"He drove his car into mine, he wouldn't leave me alone and there would be constant phone calls and text messages," said Miss Adams.

"He would be prowling around the house, trying to break into the house and cutting wires."

Referring specifically to the phone calls she said: "They were sometimes friendly, sometimes threatening. He threatened me with guns and knives."

During cross examination Terence Woods, defending, pointed out not all of the texts were threatening and many had been polite, asking after Miss Adams and her children and enquiring about Christmas presents.

She also agreed with Mr Woods when he said: "When Mr Holland made threats to you he also made threats to himself. However the threats he made to you and to himself were not carried out."

During further evidence from Helen Carruthers - a close friend of Miss Cebral - the court heard more about Mr Holland's aggressive behaviour.
She said he had been "abrupt, aggressive and intimidating" on more than one occasion.

She recalled how Mr Holland had once threatened herself, Miss Cebral and another friend with a powered still saw unless they handed over his baby daughter.

The prosecution alleged Mr Holland carried out the attack because he wrongly believed Mr Dickson was dating Miss Cebral.

Mr Dickson suffered severe head injuries in the assault and has no recollection of the attack or his attacker.

He had taken Miss Cebral home after their night out and accepted her offer of a cup of tea.

During that time Miss Cebral received a number of prank phone calls from a caller she believed was watching the house.

Just hours earlier a neighbour had called the police after seeing a man in a face mask with only holes for the eyes and mouth "bobbing and weaving" in Miss Cebral's back garden while watching the house.

The trial continues.