A MAN yesterday denied taking part in the murder of a punter visiting a prostitute - but admitted being at the house at the time of the killing.

Thomas Petch, 22, admitted he was present at the house in Errol Street, Middlesbrough, where Kalvant Singh was pushed through a window to his death.

But he told Newcastle Crown Court he had tried to prevent Jonathan Crossling, known as Bam Bam, from harming Mr Singh.

Mr Petch told the court that Crossling who, he said, had been awake smoking crack cocaine for about five days was "out of his head" and "in a crack rage."

He said: "When I saw the struggle I tried to get hold of Bam Bam and pull him out of the house. I wanted to get away.

"I pushed them apart and as I got in between them they were grappling. When I pushed them apart Bam Bam seemed to let go of him."

He said he then walked downstairs and left the house. "Just as I was coming out of the house towards the car I heard the window smash," he added.

Mr Singh suffered severe head and brain injuries in the fall.

Mr Petch, of Parkhouse Farm, Dunsdale, Teesside, denies murdering Mr Singh and causing grievous bodily harm with intent to Michael Moody.

George Coleman, 41, of Thornton Street, North Ormesby, Middlesbrough and Jason Crossling, 32, of Fairfield Road, Middlesbrough, the brother of Jonathan Crossling, deny the same charges.

Jonathan Crossling is in Spain waiting to be extradited for his alleged part in the incident and a fifth man, Lee Harrison, is still to be arrested.