Murder accused claims friend was often abusive
Cambridgeshire PoliceA man accused of killing his former housemate claimed the dead man was "often abusive" and behaved erratically, a court has heard.
Jonathon Austin, 23, denies murdering Neil Lakhani, 38, at his home in Cambridge on 17 September 2024.
In a prepared statement to police, Mr Austin said Mr Lakhani had "punched me in the face a couple of times" that morning at the flat in Greengates Court on Histon Road.
Mr Austin said he "blacked out" after Mr Lakhani threatened him with a knife, and the "next thing I recall is my hands around his neck and he was still".
Brian Farmer/BBCHuntingdon Law Courts heard Mr Austin used to pay Mr Lakhani rent, but they were not in a relationship.
In police interview, he said in a statement through his solicitor that he "moved out because of Neil's behaviour, which was erratic" and was living in a flat above with someone he was in a relationship with.
Mr Austin said on the morning in question, he "was in Neil's flat and he was really angry at me", and accused the defendant of stealing his passport.
In the statement, Mr Austin said Mr Lakhani "told me to get him £50 right now and he was holding me against the wall".
He said Mr Lakhani "punched me in the face a couple of times" but he pushed back and hit him once, before things calmed down.
Mr Austin said Mr Lakhani became angry again and came at him with a knife.
"I think I blacked out as the next thing I recall is my hands around his neck and he was still," he said.
Brian Farmer/BBCJurors heard after his arrest, he told an officer at Parkside police station: "No-one is going to believe I did this."
The jury has heard that Mr Austin's father, Bruce, had told police his son was autistic, while prosecution barrister Charles Myatt KC said the defendant presented with "autism spectrum disorder".
The court has heard Mr Lakhani died from compression of the neck and coronary artery disease.
A knife was found on the floor near his body.
The trial continues.
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