Neighbour accused of killing man in noise row acted in self-defence, trial hears

A pensioner has told a murder trial he acted in self-defence and did not want to kill his neighbour in a Christmas Day fight that broke out in a row over noise.

James Hughes, 67, is accused of killing Harold Turner, 68, and recording his dying words at their sheltered accommodation in St Asaph, Denbighshire.

Giving evidence in his own defence, Hughes told a jury his neighbour "just came at me" in the corridor after shouting, swearing and threatening him.

But the prosecution reminded him that he waited 15 minutes before calling an ambulance as Turner lay dying.

A post mortem examination found Turner died due to asphyxia - when the body is deprived of oxygen - and had face and head injuries.

Hughes denies murder and an alternative charge of manslaughter in the continuing case at Caernarfon Crown Court.

Jurors were told the confrontation was sparked by Turner, who had served in the Navy, making complaints about noise from Hughes' flat last year.

Hughes said his neighbour spent the night banging on the wall between their flats and on his front door, swearing and threatening him.

When he took his dog for a walk on Christmas Day, the defendant said Turner spotted him in the communal garden at their retirement flats, Old Palace, at about midday.

"He was shouting through his window - more threats that he was going to kill me," said Hughes.

"As I came in, he was charging down the hallway and came at me - I tried to reason, but he was just throwing punches.

"I lifted my walking stick to protect myself, and he seemed to walk into it before grabbing the other end - so we ended up in a tug-of-war."

Both men fell to the ground, he said, with Hughes ending up sitting on top of his neighbour.

The court was told that Hughes often carried a voice recorder on a lanyard round his neck, which he used to record conversations after suffering memory problems.

Audio recordings of the fight were played to the jury, including the sound of Turner pleading with Hughes to get off him.

The device continued recording while Hughes went back into his flat, made a drink and cleaned his walking stick, the court heard.

Prosecution barrister John Hipkin KC reminded Hughes that he then spoke to his nephew on the phone, and said "I think I've killed someone".

It was only after his nephew told him to call an ambulance that Hughes dialled 999.

"You were dominant," said Hipkin.

"If he started it, you certainly finished it. You murdered him."

Hughes replied: "Nonsense. He'd been drinking for 24 hours. I didn't cause his injuries - don't go blaming me."

Closing speeches are expected on Thursday after the trial resumes.