Leicester man Antoin Akpom was killed in 'self defence'

Hussain Hussain told the court he struck out in fear

A refugee accused of murdering a football coach on a Leicester street said he stabbed him in "self-defence".

Antoin Akpom, 20, from the city, was knifed in the back on 12 September.

Somali-born Hussain Hussain said he feared for his life when Mr Akpom confronted him and co-accused Abdul Hakim, 19. Both men deny murder.

Mr Hussain, also 19, told Stafford Crown Court it was a "split-second decision" to stab Mr Akpom, who he said was swinging a dumb-bell.

Antoin Akpom died after suffering a collapsed lung

The trial was previously told there had been "some bad feeling" between Mr Akpom and Mr Hakim, of Wood Hill, Leicester.

The jury saw CCTV footage from the Kent Street area of the city showing Mr Akpom getting out of a car to confront Mr Hussain and Mr Hakim.

Mr Akpom could be seen running towards a gym before jogging back towards the defendants, followed by a group of up to nine people, prosecutor Richard Latham QC told the court.

Mr Hussain said he feared for his life and stabbed Mr Akpom with the knife, which he said Mr Hakim had dropped.

He told the court: "I made the decision to pick it up and strike Antoin Akpom, out of fear."

When asked if he intended to kill him, he replied: "No sir."

The jury was previously told that hours after the stabbing, an arson attack took place on a house two doors away from Mr Hakim's family home, resulting in four deaths.

The trial continues.