John Smyth died protecting a friend from a burglar, prosecutors claim. George Ness faces murder and other charges in court.
Ness tried to break into Bridie Nye’s flat. He allegedly beat John, 63, with wood. Ness then stole John’s phone, the court heard. Ness, 41, denies murder and other charges. He is on trial now.
Bridie said John moved next to her recently. She knew he had a daughter and worked nights. They became friends, she explained to the court.
One night, Ness yelled Bridie’s name outside her flat. He asked her to buy a coat. She refused. He then asked to transfer money to her. She said she had no account, wanting him to leave.
She testified Ness kicked her front door. He threatened to enter from the back. Bridie became scared. She told John someone was trying to get in. She told him to call the police.
The back window then started breaking. Bridie grabbed a hammer. She hit Ness’s hands as he unlatched the window. She kept hitting him, she told the court. He demanded money and threatened her.
Ness had a knife and tried to stab her. He was trying to open the window too. John told Ness to go away. Bridie said John was unsteady on his feet. He was an older man.
Bridie stated Ness threatened to slash her face and rape her. John then tried to push Ness back. John had a knife from his tool bag. He tried making Ness leave him alone.
She told John to phone the police. John moved away from the door. She begged Ness to leave, pretending she called police. However, he refused to go.
Ness pushed a long piece of wood through the window. He tried to hold her back. He also reached for the latch. She grabbed the wood. They struggled with it, she said.
Bridie heard someone say, “Leave her alone.” She saw John standing at the gate. Ness threatened John, calling him an old man. Ness ran at John with the knife. He started swinging the knife at him.
Upset, Bridie ran to call the police. She shut the front door. When she looked outside, Ness was gone. John was fatally injured, the court heard. He died from head trauma, they said. Bridie called John a hero.
Ness claims he acted in self-defense. He denies all charges against him. The trial is still ongoing.