Murder accused tells court he is 'devastated'

DEFENDANT SAYS HE WAS ATTACKED WITH KNIFE

- By ROB KENNEDY

Police and forensics officers on Bolingbroke Street in Heaton, Newcastle

MURDER accused Craig Howse denied wanting his friend dead but admitted his actions contributed to his death and said he is “devastated” by what happened.

Prosecutors say he battered Michael Craig, 31, with a Hoover pole and caused more than 30 injuries with more than one sharp weapon during an alleged attack in his home in Heaton, Newcastle, in March.

Howse, who denies murder and is standing trial at Newcastle Crown Court, claimed Mr Craig had attacked him with a knife while both men were under the influence of drugs.

His barrister, Nicholas Lumley KC, asked: “Do you accept by your actions you contributed to Michael's death?” Howse replied: “Yes I do.”

Mr Lumley asked: “Did you mean to kill him?” He replied: “No I didn’t mean to kill him.”

He said that he also did not mean to hurt him so badly that he died, adding: “He was my friend”

Asked how he feels about what happened, Howse said: “I feel absolutely terrible, remorseful, yes, absolutely devastated, devastated, aye.