Vic axe man denies shooting friend's lover

A Melbourne septuagenarian who walked into his home with a tomahawk has denied allegations he also armed himself with a sawn-off rifle to shoot his housemate's lover.

Manfred Ulrich Kobert, now 77, is facing a jury trial charged with intentionally shooting Matthew Lovitt, 38, piercing his liver and right kidney, in May 2016.

The County Court of Victoria was told on Thursday that although Kobert agreed he entered the property with a "small axe", he didn't agree the gun was his, nor that he brought it into his home, or that he aimed it at Mr Lovitt.

Kobert had invited a friend, 44-year-old Amanda Swanson, to live with him as she needed accommodation, the court was told.

She introduced Kobert to her then-boyfriend, Mr Lovitt, who began to stay at the Mitcham residence.

At one stage, Kobert told Mr Lovitt he didn't want anyone hitting Ms Swanson or taking her money.

Then on the night of May 30, 2016 Kobert went to a club in Seaford where he drank up to seven glasses of bourbon and coke.

It is alleged he arrived home, retrieved a sawn-off .22 rifle, loaded it, and picked up a nearby tomahawk.

It is then claimed Kobert walked inside the home and yelled: "Is Matt here?"

Mr Lovitt emerged from the bedroom, but Ms Swanson attempted to put herself between the two men.

The Crown alleges Kobert then shot Mr Lovitt.

Prosecutors also claim he tried to stab Ms Swanson, who barricaded herself and Mr Lovitt in her bedroom.

Kobert claims the rifle must have discharged during a struggle with Ms Swanson, and also says he didn't point the gun at Mr Lovitt.

Defence barrister, Emily Clark, said her client insists the gun didn't belong to him and he can't remember if he pulled the trigger.

"Was this all just a terrible accident?" Ms Clark asked.

Mr Lovitt was treated in intensive care at the Alfred Hospital where a surgeon removed the bullet.

The hearing continues.