The alleged victim of a failed deadly ambush involving a gun and a second-hand car gasped and held back tears as he viewed photographs of his injuries while giving evidence in court.

Stavros “Steve” Ridis was being shown hospital photographs of himself for the first time and whispered “Oh my god” as he stood in a Melbourne Supreme Court witness box. Mr Ridis was giving evidence during the trial of his alleged attacker, 63-year-old John Charles Quail.

The prosecution has alleged that Mr Quail ambushed Mr Ridis outside his Tullamarine workplace and shot him with a semi-automatic pistol before driving over him in a car. Mr Ridis survived the alleged attack on the night of July 7 last year. Prosecutor Ray Gibson has told the court that Mr Quail was living with Mr Ridis’ former wife after the two had an extra-marital affair.

The jury was told there was an on-going bitter dispute between the two men in the lead up to the Tullamarine incident. Mr Gibson alleged that Mr Quail ambushed Mr Ridis in Tarmac Drive, Tullamarine, by pulling a .22 Ruger pistol – with an attached silencer – and firing several shots. Mr Ridis was hit once in the upper body.

Mr Ridis told the jury how he felt being shot and then hearing more bangs before he faded in and out of consciousness. Mr Gibson has told the court that Mr Ridis managed to bite one of Mr Quail’s fingers, before wresting the gun free and hitting him with it.

Mr Ridis said he remembered running for help while yelling words to the effect of “Please help me, I’m being killed” before falling backwards as headlights came at him. Both men ended up in different hospitals with differing injuries. Mr Gibson has alleged that Mr Quail sought to murder Mr Ridis in a “calculated and premeditated manner.”

Defence counsel John Desmond has accused Mr Ridis of lying.

Mr Desmond has submitted that it was Mr Ridis who brought the gun to what was a pre-planned meeting between the two men. In cross examination today, Mr Desmond put to Mr Ridis that it was he who had the pistol on the night.

Mr Ridis replied “No.”

Mr Quail has pleaded not guilty to both attempted murder, as well as an alternative charge of intentionally causing serious injury.

The trial before Justice Paul Coghlan continues.