The Broken Guitar

Two former friends spent a day in Nova Scotia fixing a tap at one man's home and drinking beer. The Complainant was 66 and about 125 pounds; the Accused was a large man. Tension built and the Complainant asked the Accused to leave. The Complainant said the Accused challenged him, pushed him and punched him onto the couch, so he grabbed a small open pocket knife and stabbed him. The Accused said he was stabbed in the upper back as he got up to go to the bathroom, then again. He said he grabbed the Complainant's wrist, they went to the floor, and he kept telling him to drop the knife, fearing for his life because he was bleeding heavily and takes blood thinners. As he headed for the back door he heard the Complainant coming, grabbed a guitar and struck him twice, breaking it. The Accused had four stab wounds. The Complainant had severe facial injuries needing surgery. The Accused was charged with aggravated assault. The question: was his use of force a reasonable act of self-defence?