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Murder Trial: Accused was 'fighting for his life'

Mon, 23 Mar 2015

Transcripts from a Castletown man's first interview with police after being arrested for murder have been read out to a jury at Douglas Courthouse.

"He just wouldn't stop coming at me" - that's what 46-year-old Ian Anderson told officers in 2013 after being accused of murdering 60-year-old Neil Roberts.

The Ballabeg man was found dead in the early hours of December 1st at Anderson's home on Queen Street - when asked if he was responsible for his death Anderson replied "no".

The court heard how Mr Roberts had phoned Anderson and his wife on November 30th "upset" - claiming he'd crashed his car and had narrowly escaped the police.

Anderson drove to collect him and said he was "pleading" to go for a drink - the pair went to a pub in Port Erin before returning to Castletown where Mr Robert's mood was described as "happy".

Whilst chatting Anderson said he told Mr Roberts that he knew he was in love with his wife and that the pair should "go and be together" asking them both to leave - making the gardener "agitated".

During a subsequent telephone call to his son, in the lounge, Anderson told officers that Mr Roberts got up and punched him saying there was an "almighty smash" in the side of his face.

He says he remembered taking a number of punches before pushing Mr Robert's back onto the sofa where he held him around the throat before his wife intervened and pulled him away.

This, Anderson said, was followed by two subsequent attacks - one by the front door and another in the lounge - he told officers he thought he was going to die and was "fighting for his life".

Anderson denies one count of murder - the trial continues. 

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