A MAN on trial for the murder of a homeless drug addict told a court yesterday that he wept over his death.

Steven Small, 33, said that he gave the kiss of life to drug addict Robert Parkin, nicknamed Swampy, when he lapsed in and out of consciousness after being allegedly attacked.

Mr Small said he was told that Mr Parkin, 29, was attacked by Shelley Hill, 34, of Lancaster Road, Grangetown, who last week was cleared of the murder when the prosecution offered no further evidence against her.

He claimed that she "jumped all over his head" at a flat in Shaftesbury Street, Stockton, and that he received a phone call summoning him to the scene.

Mr Small told the jury at Teesside Crown Court that he told a friend to get Shelley Hill out of the flat "because she was out of order".

He said that he and the friend got Mr Parkin off the floor, gave him a shower and dressed him with tracksuit bottoms.

He said that his co-accused, Brian Lancaster, 32, arrived at the flat much later, between 10pm and 1am.

Mr Small said: "When we realised that he was dead, that was when everyone left the flat. We tried to resuscitate him and I cried when he died."

Mr Small, of Holborn Park, Stockton, and Mr Lancaster, originally from Hartlepool but of no fixed address, deny murdering Mr Parkin on May 8. They also plead not guilty to inflicting grievous bodily harm with intent on Mr Parkin on May 4.

Martin Bethel, prosecuting, has claimed that Mr Parkin was murdered over a drugs deal.

The trial continues.