Brierley Hill murder accused: 'I didn’t mean to kill my cousin'

Glen Elvin and 28-year-old Christopher Harm clashed in a car park at Engine Lane, Brierley Hill after a night out drinking at pubs on The Waterfront nearby.

The pair had a history of fighting each other while growing up with the older man coming out on top but they usually made up afterwards, Wolverhampton Crown Court was told.

Elvin maintained: “There was no bad blood that night. We were singing and dancing at a bar quite late. In my head everything was great. I was smashed and having the time of my life.

“Then we were arguing and I still do not know why. He is quick with his hands and hit me in the face at least twice.

“It started as a little argument and got out of control. The name calling turned to threats. I did not want to lose face and said ‘if you want to fight, OK let’s have it.’

“We were both throwing punches. I knew for a fact that I was in for a beating.

“I grabbed the knife from the van in a last ditch attempt to say ‘back off, I don’t want to fight any more.’

“It was in my hand. I was following him and every time I thought he was about to throw a punch I swung the knife across my body to try to create some space.”

More coverage:

• Eyewitness describes moment Christopher Harm was stabbed

• Man 'stabbed cousin to death in drunken rage' near Merry Hill

The defendant continued: “He kept stepping back but the last time he didn’t move. I hit him. I never intended to make contact. I was horrified. I stabbed him by accident.”

Elvin admitted having a short temper but insisted: “Violence would always be the last resort. I am not a fighter.”

CCTV showed what appeared to be Mr Harm running away pursued by the defendant moments before the fatal blow was struck.

Elvin continued: “I am not disputing that I stabbed him. I deserve to do some prison time. It wasn’t a complete accident but I know in my head and my heart that I didn’t intend this. It was a drunken fight that got out of control.

“I loved him. He lost his life because of me and I will have to live with this for the rest of my life.”

Mr Harm was stabbed through the heart and could not be saved despite the best efforts of paramedics and police during the early hours of October 13.

Elvin from Fern Avenue, Stanley, County Durham was travelling throughout the country – and sleeping – in a van with the victim and two other men putting up posters advertising a circus.

He denies murder and the trial continues.