THE case against a man accused of stabbing a boxer has been dropped after a key witness said he had been called a “grass” and refused to give evidence.

Jerome Browne, 33, of Charles Street, Brighton, was due to stand trial this week accused of wounding Josh Douglas, 22, but the prosecution offered no evidence.

Prosecuting on Monday at Brighton Crown Court, Beverley Cherill said: “Unbidden this morning he [the witness] did say to both me and the police officer that he is here because he feels forced to be.”

She added he had come to the court building because he had been summonsed but did not intend to come into the court room. She said: “Should he be arrested and dragged into the court room he will not utter a word.”

Mr Browne was charged with malicious wounding with intent to cause grievous bodily harm after Mr Douglas suffered stab wounds in Charles Street, Brighton, last Sunday October 5.

At Brighton Crown Court on Monday, Judge Paul Tain entered a not guilty verdict for Mr Browne.

A Sussex Police spokesman said there had been no allegation of witness intimidation for officers to investigate.