Nigel Jones MP told the court Ashman had aimed at his heart

Robert Ashman, 52, denies attempting to murder Cheltenham Liberal Democrat MP Nigel Jones on 28 January, 2000.

Mr Jones's aide, local councillor Andrew Pennington, 39, died in the attack in which he was stabbed six times.

Mr Jones told the jury at Bristol Crown Court that Ashman, a frequent visitor to his weekly surgery, produced the sword after becoming angry during a conversation.

He was aiming at my heart - I know he was trying to kill me Nigel Jones MP for Cheltenham

He said Ashman had unbuttoned his army-style coat, pulling out a three-foot samurai-style sword.

The MP said he held it over his head in the manner of a character from the children's cartoon The Masters of the Universe.

He then lunged at Mr Jones, growling like an animal.

Mr Jones, 55, described how he grabbed at the blade, suffering severe cuts which needed more than 50 stitches, as Ashman went for him.

Robert Ashman denies attempting to murder Nigel Jones

"I have relived the incident every day for more than three years and I know what happened.

"He was aiming at my heart. I know he was trying to kill me," he said.

Mr Jones said Ashman, who had lost his job, regularly visited the Friday sessions to talk over his financial problems.

On the day of the attack, he had his father's wartime sword hidden under his coat.

Ashman has admitted the manslaughter of Mr Pennington on the grounds of diminished responsibility, a plea which has been accepted by the prosecution.

But he denies attempting to murder Mr Jones, and also denies an alternative charge of wounding Mr Jones with intent to cause grievous bodily harm.

The jury heard on Monday that although it was accepted Ashman was suffering from a severe mental disorder at the time of the killing, that was not a defence for attempted murder.