A curry house owner was stabbed by two of his colleagues just metres from diners in a row over management of the business, a court heard.

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Chef Aziz Miah,  of Clayton Road in Chessington, is alleged to have stabbed business partner Mohammed Rahman at the Red Rose on Tuesday, January 20, 2015, while fellow chef Mohammed Fayzur Rahman, who is not related to the victim, is said to have held him down during the attack.

Mr Rahman was hospitalised with injuries “so serious” doctors feared his arm would have to be amputated, Kingston Crown Court heard yesterday.

He told jurors: “Suddenly Mr Miah came very fast and stabbed me on my right-hand side. Luckily he stabbed me on my belt, otherwise it would have gone through. He [Mr Rahman] didn’t let me go. He held my trousers so I couldn’t run away.”

Mr Miah, 54, and the victim were said to have argued over a new contract that would have seen Mr Miah relinquish his ties to the restaurant.

Mr Rahman claimed Mr Miah’s attitude had deteriorated in the months leading up to the attack. He added: “Our business had gone down, and people complained. One lady had been sick because of his food. We had a health visitor visit the restaurant, we got a zero rating because of his behaviour.”

Paul Douglas, prosecuting, said Mr Miah had been issued an expulsion notice a week before the attack and was due to leave the following day.

Mr Rahman was walking to collect a takeaway order from the kitchen when the attack occurred. He held up his right arm in defence and the knife sliced open his forearm.

The court was told Mr Miah then ran to his home, washed his hands, and when questioned by his daughter, said he had attacked someone.

Mr Douglas said: “Mr Miah was clearly upset about being told to leave his business.

“There was no reason for him to say this to his daughter if it was not true. This can only have been a deliberate attempt to cause serious harm.”

Both Mr Miah and Mr Rahman deny charges of causing grievous bodily harm. The trial continues.