A man accused of shooting his ex-wife's new partner at a roadside flower stall says he did so in self-defence, his lawyer told a court.
Abil Malovski is standing trial for the attempted murder of Steven 'Stewie' Grant.
Mr Grant was initially diagnosed as a complete paraplegic after being shot five times at a roadside reserve in Melton, northwest of Melbourne, in 2022.
He has since made some steps towards recovery.
On Thursday, Malovski's lawyer Daniel Sala told the Victorian Supreme Court there was no dispute his client shot the weapon.
However, he said Malovski claims he did so because he was acting in self-defence.
Prosecutor David Glynn delivered his opening on Wednesday, telling jurors that Malovski was extremely hostile toward Mr Grant and bitterly resentful of the role his former wife's new partner seemed to be playing in the lives of their two young children.
Malovski and his former wife had separated in February 2021.
The day before Mother's Day last year, the woman and Mr Grant were selling flowers at a roadside reserve in Melton, which was a tradition started by her father.
It's alleged Malovski drove past the reserve, saw the pair and returned a short time later.
Mr Glynn said he chased Mr Grant around the reserve and fired multiple shots.
On Thursday, Mr Sala told the court Malovski says he was at the reserve to speak to his son and claims Mr Grant approached him, making him scared.
Malovski says he responded to the way Mr Grant was behaving, Mr Sala added.
The trial continues, with jurors set to be taken to a tour of the scene.
