Murder accused claims he acted in self defence

A man accused of murdering his flatmate has told a jury he was defending himself from a machete attack.

David Lupton, 60, is alleged to have repeatedly slashed at Rhys Howell, 57, with a knife which he kept next to his bed at their shared home in Skegness.

Lincoln Crown Court heard Mr Howell died from a stab wound to the heart and was found slumped against a wall outside the property in Grosvenor Road on 19 August.

The prosecution claim Mr Lupton was not acting in reasonable self defence and lost his temper with his flatmate.

Giving evidence Mr Lupton said that on the day of his death Mr Howell made a number of visits to his top-floor flat after losing his keys.

During the final occasion he claimed Mr Howell pushed him and tried to punch him.

"I launched a counter punch, the palm of my hand," Mr Lupton said, "and held him down, to stop him attacking me."

He told the jury a few moments later Mr Howell returned and burst into his room.

"I saw a machete coming at my head with Rhys stood behind it," he said.

"The first one was a big swing then he was continually going at me with the machete.

"I just lashed out, I was in shock, attempting to get him away."

Mr Lupton said he managed to push Mr Howell backwards.

"I looked for something to defend myself and saw the knife on the headboard," he said.

"I held the knife out in front of me so he could get a clear look at it and see I was armed," Mr Lupton said. "But it had no effect. I was fending the blows off from the machete."

Mr Lupton said the incident lasted no longer than 30 seconds and ended when Mr Howell dropped the machete and went down the first floor stairs.

Mr Lupton accepted he must have caused the fatal injury to Mr Howell but insisted he had no intention to stab him in the chest.

When asked by defence barrister Phil Bradley KC if he wished Mr Howell any harm, Mr Lupton replied: "No".

He described Mr Howell as having a "Jekyll and Hyde" personality.

"I didn't dislike Rhys," Mr Lupton told the jury. "I just didn't like him taking drugs."

Mr Lupton denies murder and a second charge of manslaughter.

The trial continues.

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