The verdict of a Bulgarian man who stands accused with the attempted murder of his former lover on Christmas Day 2004 is expected to be handed down today as the jurors retire to deliberate their verdict.

The trial by jury of Petro Dimitov Krushkov, 37, began on Monday. He is standing trial for the attempted murder of 44-year-old Therese Cachia, whom he allegedly stabbed in her bedroom after finding her in bed with another man.

The jurors heard Mr Krushkov testify how on Christmas Eve, he was in a bar in Qawra when a man walked in and kissed his ex-girlfriend, whom he still loved. He said he got jealous and asked the woman’s sister who the man was; he was first told that man was her new boyfriend and later he was told that man was just a friend.

After a night of drinking, Mr Krushkov said that he went to Ms Cachia’s house, let himself in with a key that he had taken without her permission, and found Ms Cachia sleeping in bed alongside the man who had kissed her in the bar.

“I was shocked and was jealous. I remembered about the knife, got it out, stabbed her and let go of it. I don’t know why I stabbed her. I cannot imagine why I did that to her because I loved her and she was very important to me. I didn’t want to hurt her. I didn’t even want to slap her let alone stab her. I had no intention to kill Therese or put her life in danger. I could not believe what I had just done,” he told the jurors.

The Bulgarian man stabbed Ms Cachia in her chest. A doctor who examined the patient when she was admitted to St Luke’s Hospital said that Ms Cachia had multiple stab wounds in her lower chest and abdomen. One stab wound went right through the right breast, he said.

Dr Michael Spiteri said the wounds were in line so it was probable that all three wounds were caused with one blow, adding that considerable force had to have been applied.

During yesterday’s sitting, Mr Justice Joseph Galea Debono started addressing the jurors. He is expected to conclude his speech today and the jurors will retire to deliberate their verdict.

Senior Counsel to the Republic Anthony Barbara prosecuted while Dr Malcolm Mifsud appeared for the accused.