A builder accused of murder told a jury he lied to police when he was arrested because he was scared.

James Smith, 26, and his friend Craig Clarke, 32, are on trial at Lewes Crown Court accused of murdering George Deer at his home in Hurstpierpoint.

Mr Deer, 42, a father of two, was attacked with a meat cleaver and two knives after the door of his flat in Willow Gardens was kicked in during the early hours of the morning.

Smith and Clarke are alleged to have committed the offence on March 17 last year after a night of heavy drinking and taking cocaine.

The court has heard both men blame each other for the fatal attack.

Smith has admitted to the jury he went to the ground-floor flat at about 4am with Clarke but claims he took no part in the assault.

He told the jury he tried to break up a fight between Clarke and Mr Deer, who worked as a painter and decorator.

He claimed he was unaware the knives and meat cleaver had been taken from a drawer in his kitchen until he saw the two knives on the floor of Mr Deer's flat.

During cross-examination, Smith, who has no previous convictions, told the court he lied to police because he feared Clarke was going to blame him for the killing.

He initially told police he knew nothing about the fatal attack and had not been to Mr Deer's flat for at least four years.

Smith told the jury: "I told those lies because I panicked and I was scared.

"It was stupid. This is my chance to tell the truth.

"It was only because I thought Craig had left the country and left me to take the rap.

"I knew I was in trouble because I was with Craig. I had not done anything to George but I knew I was present when George was attacked.

"I thought about running but I decided not to because I have done nothing wrong."

The court has heard there was a history of trouble between Smith and Mr Deer.

Smith, of Willow Close, Hurstpierpoint, and Clarke, of Albany Road, Crawley, both deny murder.

The trial continues.