A 'VOLATILE' man accused of attempting to murder his mother asked his neighbour to get hold of a gun for him, jurors have heard.

Neighbour Graham Hall told Oxford Crown Court today, defendant Steven Williams was searching for a gun a year before he attempted to kill Daphne Williams.

He told the jury of five men and seven women, Williams turned up at his home asking the former military man to find a firearm for him.

The witness revealed he would often hear Williams raising his voice when talking to his mother, as well as 'shrieks' or 'cries' from her.

Williams' mood would easily change, with his voice seeming 'aggressive' at times, Mr Hall added.

He continued: "He was very strong with his right hand especially. He had quite a strong grip and on occasion we would have arm wrestle over the fence."

Defence barrister Daren Samat put it to Mr Hall the pair had been in talks about joining a gun club when Williams requested the firearm, which the witness denied.

Williams, of Hailey Road, Chipping Norton, denies causing grievous bodily harm to his mother and attempting to murder her in nearby Hailey Way on April 25.

The prosecution allege Williams, who is disabled on the left-side of his body, attacked his mother while she was cooking dinner, throttling her before repeatedly stabbing her with a kitchen knife.

Mrs Williams, who was left with stab wounds to her neck, chest and abdomen, was forced to prise the blade from her body before calling police, prosecutor Charles Ward-Jackson said. 

The trial continues.