ONE of three men accused of the murder of a loner claimed in court yesterday that he never touched him.

Derek Mendum, 21, said at Teesside Crown Court that he backed off as two of his friends attacked 39-year-old Abdul Ghafoor in his home.

He told a jury that he visited Mr Ghafoor's house in Teak Street, Middlesbrough, with friends, Jo Limon, 23, and Malcolm Edwards, 29, but waited outside when the other two went in.

Mr Mendum said: "Mally shouted me in. They were hitting and kicking Mr Ghafoor on the settee. Then I saw Mally hitting him with a hammer on the head.

"Mr Ghafoor was in a bad state with blood all over his face. I never hit him at all. I felt sick and walked away," he claimed.

The prosecution alleges that the three friends, who lived in a boarding house in Borough Road, Middlesbrough, all attacked Mr Ghafoor after a night out drinking together.

Edwards changed his plea to guilty on the third day of the trial, but Mr Mendum and Mr Limon deny the murder charge.

The trial continues next week