The man accused of trying to murder a pensioner with a potato masher has told a jury: “I admit I caused the injuries but it wasn't my intention to kill him.

“You have got to believe me, please believe me!”

Ex-Merchant Navy sailor Kenneth Seymour was battered at his home in Rutland Avenue in Margate – and left with fractures of the nose, head and back.

His attacker, Polish-born Mariusz Dobkowski, 30, claimed he carried out the beating because Mr Seymour was kissing his neck.

He has pleaded guilty to causing the pensioner grievous bodily harm with intent – but denies attempted murder.

Dobkowski, speaking through an interpreter, told the jury at Canterbury Crown Court how he had been staying at three addresses in Margate in December 2013.

He said he had met Mr Seymour in the town and had gone to the bus stop to travel to the pensioner’s flat for a drink.

Dobkowski said he played with Mr Seymour’s pet parrot and drank five large whisky and cokes.

"I admit I caused the injuries but it wasn't my intention to kill him. You have got to believe me, please believe me!" - Mariusz Dobkowski

“I fell asleep on the sofa and when I woke up the gentleman was half on top of me. I got really frightened.

“He was kissing my neck and touching me in my intimate area. I was shocked. I panicked and I punched him. I wanted to run away from the flat.”

He claimed that he went into the kitchen trying to exit the flat and Mr Seymour walked towards him.

“I was upset and very anxious. I did plead guilty (to causing GBH) and I regret it deeply. I attacked him. I caused him those injuries but I am sorry for what I did.”

The prosecution has alleged that the attacker smashed the intercom and phone to prevent his victim calling for help.

But Dobkowski said he had no recollection of damaging either of the items before leaving.

The pensioner spent three weeks in intensive care after he alerted a neighbour about the attack.

Prosecutor Martin Yale told the jury that after the incident attack, police released wanted photographs of Dobkowski who then left for Belgium.

“A European Arrest warrant was issued and in July last year he was arrested when he arrived at Heathrow Airport.”

The prosecutor added: “An analysis of Mr Seymour’s injuries indicted he had been subjected to a sustained blunt force trauma assault.

“It seems likely that one of the weapons was a poker which had been used to strike the chest, back, face and most probably the head. A potato masher found at the flat was also used, “ he claimed.

Mr Yale added: “The Crown says the ferocious nature of the attack and the fact Dobkowski smashed Mr Seymour’s landline telephone and intercom, so he had no means of summoning help, thus leaving him for dead means you can be sure Dobkowski’s intention was to kill Mr Seymour, “ he said.

The trial continues.