I was just protecting myself, says man accused of murder

Published date30 April 2021
Rutherford is standing trial accused of killing Andrew Saint after the 64-year-old went to confront him about claims he had pushed Toni Saint, which he also denies.

Giving evidence to jurors at Newcastle Crown Court, the 38-year-old said he never got on with Mr Saint but did not intend to kill him or cause serious injury.

He had gone to Toni's home in Bedlington, Northumberland, with their young son on February 23 but denied prosecution claims he "slammed" her into a wall.

Back at his flat, he said he then heard banging at his door and the door handle rattling.

He said he could see Mr Saint's face pressed up against the glass partition. Rutherford told the court: "He was banging on the door then he started shouting 'get out I'm going to cut your throat.'" "Over the years he had threatened me on multiple occasions and I thought it was an empty threat as usual.

"He had used that expression before about cutting my throat.

"I thought he had just come round to rant and rave."

He said he opened the door and they began arguing.

Rutherford added: "I took a step back and I was going to shut the door and lock the door and thought he will go away.

"As I took a little step back I looked down and seen something in his right hand. His arm went up so I grabbed his right wrist with my left hand.

"Andy stepped forward a little bit and grabbed me by my T-shirt."

He said he pushed Mr Saint backwards out of the doorway and that they both tripped over and went to the ground and "rolled a little bit".

Rutherford said he tried to hold Mr Saint down and they were both shouting and he was telling him to calm down.

He added: "His right hand came over and slashed my arm. I didn't feel anything at that point."

He said he had Mr Saint "pinned" and he heard metal hitting concrete and assumed he had dropped the knife but he then slashed his arm again.

He added: "I continued to get up and move back away then Andy got up and moved towards me.

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