A man accused of the murder of his sister’s allegedly abusive partner denies slashing him with a knife to make him “pay” for ruining a family Christmas celebration.

Adam Jenkins was giving evidence in his trial at Newcastle Crown Court where he stands accused over the fatal stabbing of Simon Birch, outside the defendant’s home in Newbottle, near Houghton-le-Spring, late on Christmas Day, 2021.

The jury has seen footage from CCTV outside the large detached house, Willow Brae, in which Mr Jenkins appears to confront the unarmed Mr Birch before slashing him with one of up to three knives he may have been carrying.

Mr Jenkins said he accepts he may have been carrying one or two knives but claims he cannot recall inflicting the fatal blow.

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

But he said he could only recall a coming together after Mr Birch tried to throw a punch at him.

In cross-examination of Mr Jenkins, prosecution counsel, Francis Fitzgibbon KC, suggested that he may have been of the mindset that Mr Birch had “abused your hospitality” by his “bickering” or “abuse” of the defendant’s sister, particularly towards the latter stages of the day.

Mr Jenkins disagreed with Mr Fitzgibbon’s observation.

Mr Fitzgibbon then said: “When Simon Birch turned violent late on to Emma (the defendant’s sister), when drunk, that enraged you, didn’t it?

Mr Jenkins again disagreed.

Mr Fitzgibbon then asked: “There was a short episode of violence in your house at about 23.18, during your family’s first Christmas together in your new house.

“I suggest in your mind he (Mr Birch) was disrespecting you and your family in your home and I suggest the point came after you had an altercation with him in your home you lost your rag completely and decided to end it with him.

“You went into the kitchen and armed yourself and realised he was in the car park and you went straight at him, didn’t you?

“You aimed for his neck and slashed his neck with that knife, with a strong grip.

“At the moment that happened he’s posed no threat to you and I suggest your partial memory loss is a lie and you are saying that to avoid giving truthful evidence.

“I suggest he had ruined your family Christmas and you were determined to pay him back with his life.

“When you went out with the knives you meant to do him really serious harm.”

To all of Mr Fitzgibbons’ suggestions and questions, Mr Jenkins replied: “I totally disagree.”

Read more: Murder accused tried to aid Simon Birch after fatal blow was inflicted

In re-examination, defence counsel, Jeremy Dein KC, said to Mr Jenkins: “The prosecution case was put to you clearly that Mr Burt had ruined your family Christmas and you wanted to make him pay with his life.”

Mr Jenkins responded that he was not a violent man.

Mr Dein asked him: “Did you make the considered decision to make him pay for that by bringing his life to an end?

Mr Jenkins replied: “No, I did not.”

Asked what his feelings were about Mr Birch’s death, Mr Jenkins said: “Yes, I’m sorry.

“I’m gutted he’s gone to be fair. I wish he was still here.”

Read next:

We’re having another digital subscription offer, which ends on the 28th June.

£3 for 3 months or 40% off. Click here

It brought an end to two days of Mr Jenkins being on the stand, giving evidence in the trial.

The 36-year-old defendant denies charges of murder and manslaughter relating to Mr Birch’s death.

The trial continues tomorrow (Friday, June 23).