St Asaph noise row neighbour acted in self-defence, murder 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.