A Kratie villager’s accusations drove a man into a nearly lethal rage on Saturday. Police said the victim had found one of his cocks gone missing.

Told by his sister that a neighbour had broken the neck of the bird and spirited it away, he confronted the man, only to have him angrily deny it.

When the argument escalated, the accused party drew a knife and stabbed the man several times. The stabbed villager is now recovering in hospital, while police are on the lookout for the man with the knife. CEN