Maurice Jones: Accused took knife 'for his own protection'

Maurice Jones, 25, admitted stabbing Tsvetomir Genov in August last year, but said it was 'never his intention to kill him'. 

Jones told the police he "lost control" after the first stab and that he was "remorseful for this man's death".

Follow live coverage from the court room and read Maurice Jones' full statement HERE. 

Tsvetomir Genov (Image: Family)

Giving evidence, Jones told the court that he was going to meet Mr Genov "for a fist fight". 

Mr Cotter, who is defending Jones, said: "There came a point where you took a knife". 

Asked why he took it, Jones said: "I panicked and I wasn't sure what he [Mr Genov] was capable of. I was angry". 

Jones added: "I wasn't sure what Genov would end up doing". 

He denied when questioned that he is the sort of person that arms himself with a knife normally.

Jones also says he only planned to scare Mr Genov with the knife, which was tucked into his trousers on his right-hand side. 

He then repeated that he did not "plan" to stab Mr Genov and says it was for his own protection. 

Jones said Mr Genov "tried to grab me and punch me".

He added: "As I moved back he came again. I tried to scare him off [Jones gestures with his hand] but ended up stabbing him".  Jones added Mr Genov "tried to grab him by the arm and tried to punch him". 

He was asked "what was going through your mind", and he said "I blanked out". 

Jones said he remembers taking the knife out and stabbing Mr Genov, but doesn't recall where he stabbed him. 

He told the court: "He tried to punch me again and that's when I stabbed him somewhere around the shoulder."

Jones then said he panicked and thought "what the f*** have I just done?" before fleeing the scene. 

When cross-examined, the prosecution asked Jones if he was acting in self-defence when he killed Mr Genov, and Jones said he was. 

Jones was then asked if he thinks his actions were reasonable, and he said no. 

The trial continues.