by Keith Hunt

A jury has retired to consider verdicts in the murder trial of a former self-confessed drug dealer who slit his friend's throat.

Paul Prendergast denies murder and manslaughter, claiming he was acting in self-defence when he killed 34-year-old Cathal Hughes.

Mr Hughes, of Mayers Road, Walmer, suffered multiple stab wounds in a bedroom at Prendergast's home in Margate Road, Ramsgate, in the early hours of August 16 last year.

Mr Hughes was staying at the house. Prendergast's son, aged 16, was asleep in another bedroom at the time.

The knife blade was left embedded in the victim's throat and was only discovered during the post mortem examination.

Before calling the police, Prendergast, 44, disposed of knives and other items, in Sandwich, the jury of six men and six women heard at Maidstone Crown Court.

Prendergast, who said he was a former Olympic weightlifter, at first claimed Mr Hughes, known as Ivan, was killed by drug dealers.

He said in evidence he fought back with a knife after Mr Hughes lashed out at him with a machete. Both had previous convictions for violence.

Jurors were sent home for the night.