Adam Jenkins said he could not recall fatal slash wound on Simon Birch

Adam Jenkins was giving evidence in his trial at Newcastle Crown Court, where he denies deliberately killing Simon Birch.

The 39-year-old victim died from a single knife would to the neck, said to have been caused by Mr Jenkins outside the defendant’s home, in Sunderland Road, Newbottle, near Houghton-le-Spring, late on Christmas Day, 2021.

CCTV footage has been shown to the jury in which Mr Jenkins appears to approach the unarmed Mr Birch in a parking area at the side of his large detached home, before apparently inflicting the single slash wound to the side of the victim’s neck.

Read more: Simon Birch death: Adam Jenkins' partner 'scared' of alleged victim

Giving evidence at the start of the defence case, 36-year-old Mr Jenkins said he was aware of Mr Birch’s reputation as “a violent man” and that there had been concerns over domestic violence with his (the defendant’s) sister, Emma, earlier in 2021, two years into their relationship.

Mr Jenkins said although he got on reasonably weill with Mr Birch, who he knew as both worked in the building trade, he conceded he was “fearful” of him.

Asked by defence counsel, Jeremy Dein KC, to what extent was he "fearful", Mr Jenkins said: “Nine out of ten with Simon. He’s a violent man.”

But as he believed tensions had eased between Mr Birch and his sister in the latter months of 2021, Mr Jenkins told her she could bring him to the planned Christmas Day celebration at their home.

Mr Jenkins said for most of the day things went well, although there was some "bickering" between his sister and Mr Birch.

Some time after he went to bed, he was awoken by another family member because Mr Birch had reportedly assaulted his sister.

He said in the “chaotic” incident which followed he tried to go to his sister’s aid but also came under attack by Mr Birch, who he described as, “being out of control.”

Mr Jenkins said he was at one stage ushered into the kitchen by his own partner, Natalie Shaw, and the door mechanism broke which meant to could not reopen it.

He said as he feared what Mr Birch may do to his family, who were all in the passage way, "screaming hysterically”, he decided to go out by the side door and enter the house by the front door.

Mr Jenkins said he remembered a kitchen drawer being open and the next thing he recalled was being in the car parking area at the side of the house.

Read more: Simon Birch: Adam Jenkins' murder trial continues

He said he could not recall having a knife or knives with him when he went out but accepts he must have had at least one knife in his hand.

Mr Jenkins was asked by Mr Dein: “On the basis you did have a knife or knives in your possession, did you intend any harm?”

He replied: “No, I did not”.

Asked what he recalled of what took place when he was outside, Mr Jenkins said: “I can recall both me and Simon shouting to each other, but I don’t recall what we said.

“I can remember he threw a punch and it hit us in the chest area.”

He said the next thing he could remember was his partner shouting: “Adam, Adam, Adam”, and asking him to ring for an ambulance, so he went to get his phone.

Mr Jenkins said the ambulance seemed to take an “eternity” to arrive and he could only then recall being in the back of a police van and on arrival at a police station being told he was being charged with murder.

He was asked again by Mr Dein if he had any memory of having slashed Mr Birch, and he replied: “No”.

Asked about his state of mind at that time he said: “I was so confused, so traumatised, I couldn’t piece it all together in my head.

Read next:

Simon Birch trial: Murder accused's sister abused by victim, jury told

Murder trial: Jury watched CCTV of Simon Birch fatal injury

Simon Birch: CCTV footage of fatal Christmas Day confrontation

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“I couldn’t think what had happened.”

Mr Jenkins, of Sunderland Road, Newbottle, denies murder and manslaughter of Mr Birch.

The trial continues tomorrow (Thursday June 22).