Mark John Walters claims self defence over stabbing that left alleged victim in a pool of his own blood

A man is on trial for allegedly stabbing a man he’s known since high school over a $50 meth debt, with the alleged victim left with his intestines hanging out.

A man was left in a pool of his own blood with his intestines hanging out after confronting a man he’s known since high school over an alleged $50 drug debt, a court has heard.

Mark John Walters, 48, is claiming he acted in self defence after the man appeared at his front door to confront him over the alleged debt, a court has heard.

Prosecutor Robert Kane told the Mount Gambier District Court Mr Walters had kicked in his front security screen before the altercation had kicked off.

During the fight Mr Walters became spattered in blood, with blood covering his forehead and torso, a court has heard.

Believing the blood belonged to his alleged attacker the alleged victim walked away from the fight telling Mr Walters he should “get checked”.

Mark John Walters is facing, trial in the Mount Gambier District Court for allegedly stabbing a man he's known since high school over an alleged $50 drug debt. Picture: Arj Ganesan

However, after reaching the unit car park, collapsed to the ground and realised he was the one who was bleeding, the court heard.

Police and paramedics were called to a group of units at the corner of Queens Ave and Wehl St North just before 5pm on Saturday, January 2.

The accused was arrested at the scene while the victim sustained a stab wound to his neck and abdomen and was rushed to Mount Gambier Hospital before being flown to Adelaide.

He has been charged with one count of aggravated causing serious harm with intent to cause serious harm, which he has pleaded not guilty to.

The alleged victim would float in and out of consciousness as emergency services worked on him only to fully wake several days later in hospital, the court heard.

Mr Kane said Mr Walters spoke with emergency services and said he’d used a three inch knife in self defence.

A recording of the conversation is expected to be played in court.

Nick Vadasz for Mr Walters, said the trial would come down to whether his client was acting unlawfully.

“If you are satisfied he was acting in self defence then he is not acting unlawfully,” Mr Vadasz said.

The jury trial continues.