Murder accused 'told of stabbing'

It may be difficult to see why this case is included until you read the very end of the article (see highlights).

6-22-2009 United Kingdom:

A teenager accused of murdering a father-of-four told family members he had stabbed him, a court has heard.

Raymond Black, 48, was found lying in a pool of blood in his Carluke home in January, while his two-year-old daughter slept in another room.

At the High Court in Aberdeen the uncle of accused Peter Allen, 19, said he had told him he had cut Mr Black's throat.

Mr Allen pled not guilty to a charge of murder, defeating the ends of justice and destroying evidence.

Uncle's evidence

The court heard how the teenager had arrived at his uncle's house at Unitas Crescent in Carluke on 12 January, next door to Mr Black's house, with blood-soaked trainers on the night of the alleged attack.

Giving evidence against his nephew, Barry Allen said he had asked what had happened.

The uncle told the court: "He stared right through me, talking mumbo jumbo. He said he'd murdered Raymond Black.

"I was a wee bit frightened of him. He had a different expression on his face. The lights were on but he wasn't there.

"He did say he cut his throat and said 'he's a beast anyway or something like that'."

Asked why he or his partner did not contact the police, he answered: "He was that out of his face and I didn't want to believe it."

Defending, Donald Findlay QC questioned the relationship between Mr Black and the accused.

The court heard that Peter Allen would go round to Mr Black's house to drink alcohol and smoke cannabis.

Charges denied

Mr Findlay asked Barry Allen: "What is the attraction for a 48-year-old man and a 17-year-old boy to be friends? It isn't usual?

"The accused then said something along the lines of 'he was a beast anyway', what did you take from that?"

Barry Allen replied: "Interfering with children."

Mr Findlay added: "The name of a child molester?"

Mr Allen said: "Yes."

Peter Allen is alleged to have repeatedly punched and kicked Mr Black on the head and body before striking him with a knife or knives and a lamp standard.

He is also charged with trying to defeat the ends of justice by concealing a bloodstained jacket in a refuse bin and destroying evidence.

The trial continues. ..Source.. by BBC