Murder accused 'like man possessed' in knife attack

Glenna Siviter was killed at her home in Grimwood Avenue, Middlesbrough

An alleged drug addict accused of murdering a woman for her jewellery was "like a man possessed" when he attacked another man with a knife, a court has heard.

Andrew Hall, 46, denies stabbing Glenna Siviter to death at her home in Middlesbrough in December.

He also denies attempting to murder another man, Craig Woodier, in the town days later.

Mr Woodier said he feared he was going to die when when he was attacked in his car after giving Mr Hall a lift, Newcastle Crown Court heard.

The court has heard Ms Siviter was stabbed 36 times at her home in Grimwood Avenue on 11 December with her body then hidden beneath a living room sofa.

She was found on 15 December by her adult son, jurors have heard.

Prosecutors allege Mr Hall, who the court has heard was "like a brother" to Ms Siviter, killed her to steal her jewellery to sell for drugs.

He was arrested later on 15 December after allegedly attacking Mr Woodier, the court has heard.

'Did not like him'

In a police interview played to jurors, Mr Woodier said he knew Mr Hall from a previous prison stint.

He said he was at home on Laycock Avenue on 15 December when Mr Hall turned up at about 13:00 GMT.

He said the pair went out to buy three "rocks" of crack cocaine for £25, then returned home to smoke them.

Mr Woodier said he then drove to a pharmacy to collect a prescription and took Mr Hall with him as his wife Donna did not want the visitor left in their house with her.

"She did not like him at all," Mr Woodier said, adding: "She had had enough of him. She gave me the eyes."

'Saved my life'

After the pair pulled up back outside his house, Mr Woodier made to get out of the car when he suddenly felt something hit his back, he said.

"I thought he was patting me on the back, saying thanks for giving him a lift," Mr Woodier said.

But when he turned to look at Mr Hall he saw a look of "pure hate" on the accused's face and a large kitchen knife in each of his hands.

He said Mr Hall then lunged at him repeatedly with the knives, adding: "He started acting a like a man possessed."

Mr Woodier said he called Mr Hall a "lunatic" and asked him what he was doing, to which Mr Hall replied: "You've made me do this."

He said they were the only words the attacker spoke and he could still hear the sound of the knives swishing through the air at him.

Mr Woodier said the noise of the car horn brought his wife running, who opened the door allowing him to escape.

"She saved my life that day, she definitely did," Mr Woodier said.

'Red hot' jewellery

Mr Hall then climbed into the driver's seat and drove off in Mr Woodier's blue Honda Jazz, the court heard.

Mr Woodier said he suffered 12 injuries, including wounds to his head and face.

He also said Mr Hall showed him a haul of gold jewellery for sale which he knew would be "red hot".

The trial continues.