Murder accused 'froze' during knife attack - court

A 17-year-old boy accused of fatally stabbing a man in an East Sussex town centre said he "froze" when he saw the victim confront him with a knife, a court heard.

The teenager, who cannot be named for legal reasons, is on trial accused of the murder of Billy Ripley in Hailsham in August 2024.

The boy, who denies the charge, told the jury at Lewes Crown Court that Mr Ripley stabbed him twice in the arm and he "moved back, tried to defend myself".

Mr Ripley's single wound was "unsurvivable", the jury was told.

The boy said: "I stabbed him once in the torso because I thought he was going to kill me. To defend myself.

"His knife was bigger than my arm, it was huge."

He added: "I thought he was going to kill me.

"I was shocked, confused and I wanted to deter him.

Prosecutor Ryan Richter told the jury the 17-year-old plunged a knife 8cm to 12cm (3.1 to 4.7 inches) into Mr Ripley's chest, slicing a rib and the breast bone.

The 20-year-old died soon after at the scene, the court heard.

The boy told the court: "It would've been me that would've been dead if I didn't defend myself."

Asked if he had any issues with Mr Ripley, the boy said: "No."

Asked by defence barrister Keir Monteith KC if he thought he had killed Mr Ripley, the boy said: "No."

The boy admitted carrying the knife after a number of incidents with other boys, the court heard.

He denies murdering Billy Ripley.

The trial continues.

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