Elton Gashaj trial: Teen 'stabbed boy as he feared for his life'
- Published
Elton Gashaj died from a stab wound to the chest
A teenager stabbed a 15-year-old boy because he feared for his own life, a court has heard.
Elton Gashaj died from his injuries after being stabbed three times in Salt Hill Park in Slough on 21 September last year.
Jurors at Reading Crown Court previously heard Elton was killed with a "terrifying hunting-style knife".
The defendant, 15, who cannot be named for legal reasons, denies murder and claims he was acting in self-defence.
Giving evidence, the accused boy said he had been mock interviewing Elton with a pampas grass stalk before Elton got annoyed and grabbed him.
The defendant claimed Elton swung towards him with a knife and stabbed him first.
Prosecutor Pavlos Panayi QC, presenting the "hunting-style knife" in court, asked the boy what he thought would happen if he used it.
"Just trying to save myself," the defendant replied.
Elton died from his injuries after being stabbed three times in the upper body.
The accused, who suffered injuries to his chest and back that medics deemed "superficial", said he had been carrying the knife because he had previously been attacked.
He said he feared being killed because he previously saw Elton pull out a "kitchen knife" from his trousers during an altercation with another boy a week earlier.
The jury also heard Elton and the defendant had both been arrested on separate occasions for possession of a knife before the fatal stabbing.
The accused boy admits one count of possessing a bladed article.
The trial continues.
- Published4 March 2020
