Murder accused says he used knife in self defence

Matthew Cainey died after being stabbed at a block of flats in Gloucester

A man accused of murder has told a jury he acted in self defence when his alleged victim "had a knife" and was "in a frenzy".

Kane Kotwica, 39, is on trial accused of stabbing 53-year-old Matthew Cainey to death inside a block of flats in Bedford Street, Gloucester, on 28 May.

He also denies attempting to murder Jamie Bullock, 41, and Luke Lambert, 38, during the same incident.

As his defence started at Bristol Crown Court earlier, Mr Kotwica said he "pulled out the knife and just thrust it forward" in an act of self defence when Mr Cainey attacked him.

The jury previously heard there was a group of people drinking and taking drugs at the flat.

When asked by Edward Henry KC, defending, what the atmosphere was like when he arrived, Mr Kotwica said: "It was absolutely fine, everyone was just talking, chatting."

Kane Kotwica is accused of murdering Mr Cainey and attempting to murder Jamie Bullock, 41, and Luke Lambert, 38

Mr Kotwica said the atmosphere deteriorated as Mr Bullock started "acting weird" and so he decided to leave some time after 05:00 BST on 28 May.

Mr Kotwica returned a few hours later and knocked on the door which, he said, "flew open" when a woman opened it.

"I took one step inside and there was Mr Cainey and I believe Mr Bullock and Mr Lambert behind," Mr Kotwica said.

"It was just like [Mr Cainey] was in a frenzy, like proper going for me. I think he was throwing punches with the one hand and I'm sure he had a knife in the other.

"Initially, I tried to duck out the way and block everything that was coming to me and I pulled out the knife and just thrust it forward.

"I wasn't intending to harm anyone, it was just literally to stop the attack on myself to defend myself. That was it."

Mr Kotwica said he tried to leave but was stopped by Mr Lambert and Mr Bullock.

"They took me to the ground and continued the attack on me," he said.

"I just flailed with the knife just trying to get them off me, trying to get them to stop."

Mr Kotwica denies any wrongdoing and the trial continues.