'Pure bad luck' that alleged Wolverhampton murderer was holding knife

Troy Ktori, accused of stabbing ex-serviceman Charles McInally in the throat in a cocaine and alcohol-fuelled fury, claimed he had turned his life around since leaving Heath Town but admitted he was still prone to violence.

The 27-year-old is said to have launched the deadly attack after meeting Mr McInally and his housemate Carl Martin on August 7 last year at a Birmingham pub. With his girlfriend Crystal Jeffries and their friend Matthew Roper, he went back to Mr McInally's Edgbaston home where all five continued drinking, and drugs were also taken.

But the mood soured when Mr Martin allegedly insulted Ms Jeffries, described by Ktori as 'the love of my life', prompting him to punch Mr Martin in the mouth.

Ktori then left alone for home but later, when his girlfriend and Mr Roper joined him, he flew into a further fury on hearing that Mr Martin had physically attacked Ms Jeffries.

"It seemed to me he took revenge on me by punishing my girlfriend," he told Birmingham Crown Court. He claimed he was unarmed when he returned to the Edgbaston house for a showdown with Mr Martin.

When the latter opened the door, he was carrying a knife, claimed Ktori, a three-times Thai Boxing world champion in his youth. He swiftly disarmed him and gave chase when Mr Martin fled through the house before escaping over the garden fence, he said.

When he turned back into the property, he saw Mr McInally standing in front of him also armed with a knife, he claimed. Ktori said he thrust his arms forward to avoid being attacked.

Under cross-examination by Mr Adrian Keeling, QC, Ktori agreed it was 'pure bad chance' that he still had a large kitchen knife in his hand when he threw up his arms to protect himself.

"So it was just a single back-luck accident?" said Mr Keeling. Agreeing that it was, Ktori said: "I had to put distance between us. He had a knife." He added: "I relive that moment every night."

Ktori said he was unable to explain a further knife wound to Mr McInally's chin, denying he went for him twice. He insisted he had no motive to hurt Mr McInally and that his fury was all directed at Mr Martin for insulting and assaulting his girlfriend.

Mr McInally, a former member of 11 Signals Regiment, was found dead on his sofa in a pool of blood.

On leaving Wolverhampton, Ktori, of Shenstone Road,Edgbaston, said: "I moved away, I settled down, I kept myself to myself."

He denies Mr McInally's murder and assault and attempted wounding with intent against Mr Martin. The trial continues.