Jury prepares to make decision in pub murder case

A jury will today (Wednesday) hear the closing statements from the defence team in the trial of Kai Nazir who is accused of murdering Cambourne man Christopher West.

Mr West died from stab wounds in an attack outside the Monkfield Arms pub on October 28 last year. His friend Daniel Berryman was also stabbed but survived.

Mr Nazir, 20, of The Crescent, St Neots, denies the charges against him. He has pleaded not guilty to the murder of Mr West, the attempted murder of Mr Berryman, grievous bodily harm with intent against Mr Berryman and carrying a blade.

He chose not to give evidence in the trial at Cambridge Crown Court.

Mr Berryman did give evidence and told the court that he did not know who stabbed him on the night. He was stabbed in the chest after playing pool in the pub and suffered a collapsed lung.

A pathologist told the court that the injury could have killed him. He was taken to Addenbrooke's and then Papworth Hospital.

Mr Nazir left the pub and Mr West is said to have followed him outside. The court heard that Mr West was stabbed 12 times, two of the wounds were fatal, including one which pierced his heart. Mr West died at the scene.

It is alleged that Mr Nazir was drinking on the night. Following the incident he was arrested and taken to Addenbrooke's where he was unable to recollect where he was.

The defence team says that Mr Nazir's failure to be able to recall the events of the evening is the reason he is not giving evidence.

Mr Nazir was later taken to Parkside police station where he was recorded by police to have said:"I hope I can pin this on my mental illness.The prosecution claims that the statement amounts to a confession.

Mr Nazir has been diagnosed with ADHD and, at the time of the incident, he was prescribed medication for depression.

A knife was found with DNA on it matching Mr West's. DNA matching Mr Nazir's was on the handle, as well as DNA from others.

A grey hooded top worn by Mr Nazir on the night of the incident was found to have blood matching Mr Berryman's in one of the pockets, and two phones belonging to Mr Nazir also had blood stains on them matching Mr Berryman's.

The defence argues that there is no certainty Mr Nazir was the individual responsible for the stabbings. If the jury decides he is, Judge David Farrell QC said they must also determine if the stabbing of Mr West was in self-defence.