A MAN flashed a knife at his ex-partner's new boyfriend during a row in the aisles of Poundland, a court heard.

During the alleged outburst at the discount retailer in Bicester it was claimed that Matthew Smith told the man he would 'slash his face.'

The 26-year-old of Roman Way, Bicester, denies one count of having a bladed article.

A jury of six men and six women were sworn in as his trial for that single count began at Oxford Crown Court today.

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Outlining the case prosecutor Samuel Trefgarne told jurors the incident took place at Bicester's Poundland store on Sheep Street in the town centre.

He said that that at about 11.30am on November 10 2018 Stacey White was inside the store together with her partner.

By coincidence, Mr Trefgarne said, Smith - who is the woman's ex-partner - was also there.

He said that soon after Smith called to the woman to speak with her and she refused.

It was not until the woman's new partner stepped up to Smith, prosecutors said, that the alleged crime took place.

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Jurors were told that Smith told the man he would 'slash his face' before placing his hand in his pockets and pulling out a knife.

Prosecutors said the blade was described as a 'small, red Stanley type knife.'

Smith is then claimed to have held the blade very briefly below his waist before leaving the store shortly after.

Recalling the incident from the witness box Smith's ex-partner Stacey White said she had heard the words spoken by Smith but did not see a blade in his hands.

She described his demeanour as 'annoyed' and said he was 'not to the stage of anger' and added that he was 'smiling at that point.'

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She went on to say that after the police were called Smith returned to the store a few minutes later to claim he didn't have a knife.

The jury heard that Smith 'emptied his coat pockets saying I don't have a knife.'

During cross examination defence barrister Gordana Austin - representing Smith - put to the woman that her partner had told Smith to 'just f**k off' during the confrontation.

She denied the assertion and went on to accept that she didn't see a knife in Smith's hand during the incident.

She answered: "I was not staring at his hands, I saw him but I didn't look at his hands."

Jurors also heard that following the incident and after Smith had left, police tracked him down to an address he was associated with.

He was arrested and taken to the police station when he was found by police and interviewed.

Prosecutors said that on the advice of solicitors he declined to make any comment about what had happened and didn't answer questions.

Smith denies the single count and the trial - expected to end tomorrow - continues.