A man was stabbed twice during a robbery at a Lowestoft hotel after three men 'bulldozed' their way into his room, it has been alleged.

Oliver Hewitt had been in his room at the Abigail Court hotel in Park Road, and had answered a bang at the door, thinking it was his girlfriend, Ipswich Crown Court heard yesterday.

He was then confronted by three men, two of whom had their faces covered with balaclavas and a scarves, and one was carrying a knife, said Duncan O'Donnell, prosecuting.

Mr Hewitt recognised the first man who came through the door as 28-year-old Christopher McRoberts.

The court heard that Mr Hewitt was thrown on to the bed and was punched in the face by a man wearing the balaclava. McRoberts had then got on top of Mr Hewitt and produced a knife, which he held to his throat, it was alleged.

The other two men searched the room and found �240 in a wallet – it was Mr Hewitt's rent money – and the men made for the door. As they left Mr Hewitt felt blood on his pyjama bottoms and realised he had been stabbed twice in his buttock, said Mr O'Donnell.

Meanwhile, Mr Hewitt's partner had returned to the room and raised the alarm after finding the door was locked and hearing shouting inside the room.

McRoberts was later arrested by police and was found to have �60 cash on him.

McRoberts, of Tedder Road, Lowestoft, denies robbing Mr Hewitt on August 1 last year.

Mr Hewitt told the court that after he opened the door McRoberts and two other men had 'bulldozed' their way into his room. He said he had thrown punches with his right hand during the incident but was not sure if they connected with anyone and had felt pain in his left buttock.

The trial continues today.