Man repeatedly slashed housemate with knife - court

Rhys Howell, 57, died after suffering serious injuries during an incident on 19 August, last year

A man used a knife to "repeatedly slash" his housemate, a murder trial has heard.

David Lupton attacked Rhys Howell in an altercation at a multi-occupancy flat in Skegness, jurors at Lincoln Crown Court were told.

Mr Howell, 57, died from a stab wound to his heart.

Mr Lupton, 60, denies murder and a second charge of manslaughter relating to the attack on 19 August.

Opening the case for the prosecution, Adrian Langdale KC said the defendant had picked up a knife which he kept next to his bed and used it to "repeatedly slash" at Mr Howell.

The jury heard Mr Lupton called 999 shortly afterwards and police found Mr Howell slumped against a garden wall at the front of the property. He died a short time later.

A pathologist recorded a number of other wounds to Mr Howell's body, including above and below his right eye, across his nose and to the back of his head, the court heard.

Mr Langdale told jurors that by contrast, Mr Lupton suffered minor scratches and abrasions, and alleged that the defendant inflicted the slash wound to the back of Mr Howell's head as he fled down the stairs.

'Perfectly clear'

The trial heard there had been an earlier incident between the two men and Mr Howell had been seen holding a machete-style knife and appeared intoxicated.

The court was told the background to the disagreement was "irritation" caused by Mr Howell's behaviour towards Mr Lupton and other residents.

During his first police interview, Mr Lupton said he did not know how he stabbed Mr Howell and that he had stabbed him only once.

Mr Langdale said the forensic evidence made it "perfectly clear" what had occurred.

The trial continues.

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