Murder suspect 'climbed out of window' to avoid people thinking he was responsible, court told

Derek Brennan, aged 32, told jurors he had put Amjad Khan into the “recovery position” before climbing out of the first floor window of his sister’s flat in Yardley Close, Oldbury.

Brennan had attended the flat, belonging to Lisa Sehra, on June 8 last year with co-defendant and nephew Daman Sehra, Lisa’s son, who Brennan said “lost control” and attacked Mr Khan, Wolverhampton Crown Court was told.

The case so far:

• Murder accused, 22, believed victim was abusing his mother

• Police found alleged Black Country murder victim in pool of blood, trial hears

• Blood splatter found at Black Country home indicated assault, murder trial told

• Alleged Black Country murderer 'hit man for forcing drugs on woman'

• Murder victim injured within 10 minutes of arriving at Black Country flat, jury told

Ms Caroline Haughey QC, defending Sehra, said two calls lasting 10 seconds and then 45 seconds were made to Ms Sehra’s phone – one of which said “I’ve got the drugs” – which she claimed Brennan had heard.

Brennan told jurors he couldn’t hear what was said on the phone, but said he recalled Sehra, aged 22, telling Ms Sehra “how come you’re letting him talk to you like that?” and was “agitated” before Mr Khan arrived.

He said he put his arms around Mr Khan, whom he had never met before, from behind as Sehra said Mr Khan was there and “he was jumped”.

Ms Haughey QC claimed Sehra “never said a word”.

Brennan said he had punched Mr Khan, aged 32, twice before he later asked Sehra to stop attacking him while Ms Sehra was on the phone with the emergency services.

Brennan said the door to the living room – where the attack took place – was locked with no key in the door, a jury was told.

'Hidden'

The defendant said it wasn’t “actually that high” and he panicked and “didn’t want people to think it was me” as he climbed out with Sehra, Wolverhampton Crown Court heard.

Brennan said he panicked but stressed he denied kicking Mr Khan and causing him serious injuries and insisted he put the man into the recovery position, the court heard.

Jurors heard how “hidden” trainers belonging to the defendant had been found with blood stains and Mr Khan’s DNA on them.

Sehra, of no fixed address, has pleaded guilty to manslaughter on the grounds of diminished responsibility and actual bodily harm. He denies grievous bodily harm.

Brennan, of Halesowen Road, Netherton, has pleaded not guilty to murder, manslaughter, grievous bodily harm and actual bodily harm.

The trial continues.