Bodmin murder accused Jake Hill 'lashed out blindly with knife'

CCTV shows Tia Taylor, 22, Jake Hill, 25, and Chelsea Powell, 22, entering the nightclub

A man accused of murdering a rugby player outside a nightclub in Cornwall told police he acted in self-defence, a jury has heard.

Michael Riddiough-Allen, 32, was stabbed to death outside Eclipse Nightclub in Bodmin in the early hours of 30 April 2023.

Jake Hill, 25, Tia Taylor, 22, and Chelsea Powell, 22, all from Bodmin, have pleaded not guilty to murder.

The trial heard Mr Hill told police he "panicked" after being attacked.

While being questioned following the stabbing, Mr Hill told officers that he did not have a knife, did not assault anyone and did not stab anyone outside the club, the court was told.

He told police he was pinned to the ground after being punched in the head but he later walked away from the scene with Ms Taylor.

However, he admitted his first statement was false during a second interview under police caution, the court heard.

A combat knife that was recovered by police

Mr Hill told police he instead collected a knife he had earlier left in a hedge and started to walk home until he was attacked.

He told police he was "knocked to the ground" and "stamped on", prompting him to "fight back" and "lash out blindly with a knife".

He said: "I was panicking so I wasn't aware of the knife making contact with anyone."

He told detectives he went to help Ms Powell when a man started to move towards him.

"I panicked and hit out towards him in self-defence," he said.

"I was not thinking about the knife I was still holding. I did not intend to stab him.

"I was not even aware he had been stabbed."

Michael Riddiough-Allen, 32, died after he was stabbed on 30 April 2023

Ms Powell, who is also accused of attempting to pervert the course of justice, which she denies, gave a statement to police that Mr Hill appeared "so normal throughout the night".

She said she was shocked after reading about multiple stabbings outside the club but she told police Mr Hill had not been aggressive to anyone, the jury heard.

She declined to comment in a second interview under police caution.

The trial continues.