Matthew Constantinou
- Credit: Norfolk Police
A 42-year-old found guilty of the fatal stabbing of another man following a row over a £10 drugs debt called police to say the victim had got quite injured .
Police at the scene in North Walsham after Thomas Moore was stabbed to death.
- Credit: Archant
After being sentenced to nine years for the manslaughter of Mr Moore, police released the 999 call Constantinou, of Antingham Drive, North Walsham, made to police after the fatal attack.
Constantinou told the police call handler he had been just involved in an altercation near my home and said it had been with two other guys one who got quite injured .He said he wanted legal representation before giving more details but told the call handler: I think an ambulance is required to be honest .
Police on the scene following a fatal stabbing in North Walsham.
- Credit: Archant
Mr Marshall and Mr Moore turned up at the defendant s address but were both chased away by Constantinou before the altercation between Constantinou and Mr Moore.
In his evidence to the jury Constantinou said it had been a tug-of-war-struggle during which Mr Moore was fatally stabbed.
Constantinou said he feared that if he let go of the baseball bat he would be in for an absolute beating and also feared what might happen to his mother.
The defendant, who said he picked up a knife which had dropped to the floor in one hand, said he tried to push Mr Moore away before the victim went quite limp .
Matthew Constantinou has gone on trial at Norwich Crown Court accused of murder
- Credit: Archant
The jury in the trial of a man accused of murder over a £10 drugs debt are hearing closing speeches.
Thomas Moore, 42, went with his friend Ricky Marshall to retrieve £10 Mr Marshall was owed by Matthew Constantinou for cannabis.
Norwich Crown Court heard the pair turned up at Constantinou s address, in Antingham Drive, North Walsham, where he lived with his mum, to get the cash back.
But they were chased away by Constantinou before ending up on Bacton Road, where Mr Moore was fatally stabbed in the neck.
Judge Anthony Bate adjourned sentencing until May 20.
The trial, which has been running since April 26, heard that in the weeks leading up to the fatal stabbing the defendant and Mr Marshall “had a bit of a falling out”.
A murder investigation was launched in North Walsham after the incident.
- Credit: Archant
Peter Gair, prosecuting, said it had been due to the “failure of this defendant to pay a £10 debt” for cannabis.
Mr Marshall texted Constantinou to say he would visit his mum to get the cash back and inform her of his drugs habit to which the defendant texted back “I will gut you .