Jury to consider verdict on Skegness murder trial

Paul Bodell has denied murdering Paul Barnett during an incident on Grosvenor Road, Skegness, in September of last year.

Bodell told the jury that Mr Barnett, who was armed with a golf club, chased him down the road.

Bodell said he instinctively went to defend himself by pushing Mr Barnett away only to accidentally inflict the fatal stab wound which caused Mr Barnett's death.

Bodell said he had no intention to either kill Mr Barnett or cause him really serious harm.

Paul Bodell, 37, of Grosvenor Road, Skegness, denies the murder of 45 year old Paul Barnett on 22 September 2020.

Mr Barnett died as a result of a stab wound to the left side of this chest.

Andrew Vout QC, prosecuting, told the jury "It was not an accident. It was a vicious intentional blow with a lethal weapon. It was murder."

The jury has been told that the two men had been friends but fell out before the fatal incident. Paul Barnett complained that Bodell had taken his door keys off him and he wanted them back while Bodell believed Mr Barnett owed him £40.

Mr Vout said that Bodell concealed a large kitchen knife up his sleeve before seeking a confrontation with Mr Barnett in the street where both men lived.