Defendant uses ‘gay panic defence’
A man charged with the murder of a gay man has claimed he “flipped” after the victim touched his leg.
Rodney Greenland, 47, of Ipswich, stabbed 36-year-old Simon Amers to death last July, Ipswich crown court heard.
The pair had met in a pub on the night and returned to Mr Amers’ flat for a drink.
Mr Greenland says the victim, who was gay, began stroking his leg. He said he asked him to stop and moved into the kitchen.
He said that Mr Amers then followed him into the room and tapped his shoulder.
Mr Greenland then told police he picked up a knife and slashed Mr Amers, who fell down the stairs.
Prosecutor Andrew Jackson said a total of seven stab wounds were found on Mr Amers’ body.
Mr Greenland is said to have gone to a friend’s house to confess to the attack but was not believed because he was drunk.
Mr Amers’ naked body was discovered several days later by friends.
Police found Mr Greenland slumped by his front door the next day. He told them he had killed a man but could not remember where.
While being interviewed by detectives, he said: “I was abused at boarding school as a boy. He touched me wrong. I just flipped. I lost it.”
He admits manslaughter but denies murder.
The trial continues.
