A suspect accused of murdering a man found stabbed to death has claimed self-defence.

Dennis Jones, 37, of Rochester High Street, denies murdering Luke Sullivan, 31, in his flat in November 2019.

When paramedics discovered Mr Sullivan’s body and asked Jones if the killer was near, he replied: “No no, he has done this to himself,” Maidstone Crown Court heard.

Jones would go on to tell police Mr Sullivan tried to stab him when he accidentally sustained three wounds during a fight.

But prosecutors claim Jones intended to kill Mr Sullivan by stabbing him twice in the chest severing an artery, and once in the arm.

Jones, his landlord Ryan Muir and Mr Sullivan were drinking in a nearby pub before retiring to the defendant’s home, the court heard.

Violence unfolded in the hallway after Mr Sullivan disturbed Jones in his bedroom, who was trying to sleep, prosecutors said.

Philip Bennetts QC told jurors: “Shortly after paramedics attended Luke Sullivan was pronounced dead as a result.

“There is no issue that this defendant caused those stab wounds, it is what occurred at the time that you will wish to concentrate on.

“Police and paramedics went to that address and arrived swiftly and Luke Sullivan was found to have three stab wounds, one fatal, and life was pronounced extinct.

“There are only two people who can tell you what occurred and how there was a death.”

Mr Muir told officers he opened his bedroom door after noticing Jones and Mr Sullivan fighting.

He then heard Jones shouting that his rival was armed with a blade as the pair wrestled, then saw Jones punching Mr Sullivan twice in the head rendering him unconscious, the court heard.

After a 999 call was made and emergency services rushed to the scene, Jones told medics Mr Sullivan: “Had been stabbed in a bad way.”

Asked if the attacker was still at the property, he responded: “No no, he has done this to himself,” jurors heard.

Jones was arrested for wounding with intent but charged with murder while being held in custody.

In police interview he denied murder claiming the wounds were accidental, and noticed the stab wound only once Mr Sullivan was unconscious.

“No no, he has done this to himself..."

“I wanted it to stop and then we are wrestling on the floor. I got the knife at this point, I’m just trying to wrestle and get him off me.

“Ryan’s door opened and then I punched him to the face a second time and he fell to the floor."

In a second interview Jones added he managed to take hold of the blade for an unknown duration.

He may have been holding the weapon as he punched Mr Sullivan a second time, he added.

DNA results showed the blade, which belonged to Jones, carried Mr Sullivan’s DNA.

Toxicology reports showed Mr Sullivan had taken a concoction of drugs, including cocaine and testosterone and was three times the drink drive limit at the time of his death.

Jones had traces of cocaine and other drugs, including testosterone, in his bloodstream and was twice the drink drive limit, the court heard.

Jones, who is on conditional bail residing at Cleave Road, Gillingham, is yet to argue his case.

The trial continues.

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