THE trial of a Petersfield man accused of stabbing a man in The Square has been delayed again because of an unreliable witness.

Prosecutors remain hopeful of trying Neil Quinn sometime this week despite the fact their key witness has absconded.

The 37 year old from Dragon Street was arrested on July 20, 2011, after allegedly stabbing a man with a knife in broad daylight.

Quinn pleaded not guilty to single counts of causing wounding with intent and possessing an offensive weapon at a hearing in Winchester in December 2011.

But he is still waiting to stand trial as his alleged victim from Alton has repeatedly failed to attend court despite constant reminders.

The latest trial was due to begin on Tuesday at Portsmouth Crown Court but again barristers were left twiddling their thumbs.

They were nonetheless hopeful of starting the trial on Wednesday after Recorder Robert Pawson agreed to issue a witness summons.

"It's in the interest of justice to release a summons,"?said the recorder.

"This is a serious allegation as it involves a defendant who, to his own admission, took a knife from his home to the scene of the altercation."

The court heard that the witness assured two officers that he would attend the trial when the visited his Alton address last week.

But the witness, whose full name has not been revealed, disappeared again on Tuesday with DC Ian Turner and his colleagues unable to make contact despite a home visit and six calls to his mobile.

The court also heard that the witness had four previous convictions for failing to surrender to custody between July 2006 and May 2011.

Quinn was due to stand trial on two separate occasions at Winchester Crown Court, but neither took place for similar reasons.