Murder Trial Told of Fight
Wednesday, 22nd October 2003.
A MAN who was allegedly stabbed by his childhood friend over a woman "looked like a wild animal" when he found the pair together, a court was told.
Henry Greenall was drunk when he arrived at the home of John Cotterell in Home Close, West Wickham.
After finding his girlfriend, Nicola Fenton, already there and drinking with Cotterell, Mr Greenall flew into a jealous rage and began fighting with his friend, Norwich Crown Court was told yesterday.
A jury heard how Cotterell later told police he had tried to assure Mr Greenall there was nothing going on between the pair.
"He obviously thought there was but I wouldn't do anything like that. He took his watch off and I knew he was looking for a fight," he said.
In the statement Cotterell said he was hit several times before he picked up a kitchen knife with a five to six-inch blade.
"I had it in my hand and was hitting him with a clenched fist. I then stabbed him with the knife.
"I didn't want to hurt him but he was saying he was going to come back with a gun."
Miss Fenton broke down in tears as she described the events of the night of May 11, when Cotterell is alleged to have stabbed Mr Greenall in the neck.
She said she had called at Cotterell's for Mr Greenall, but left when he finally arrived and the fight started.
"Henry looked like a wild animal, he was not like he was normally," she said.
"He was shouting something unpleasant and calling me 'an out of date whore'. I picked up my car keys and left."
Miss Fenton said she returned 20 minutes later to find Mr Greenall lying near the front door.
Mr Greenall was left with a five-and-a-half inch gash in his neck, which severed his artery.
Cotterell denies murdering Mr Greenall, who along with Miss Fenton had lived at his house after moving to West Wickham to run the Montfort Arms pub in Horseheath.
Miss Fenton said Mr Greenall was "a jealous and very possessive man" who did not allow her to see anyone of the opposite sex.
The trial continues.
Henry Greenall was drunk when he arrived at the home of John Cotterell in Home Close, West Wickham.
After finding his girlfriend, Nicola Fenton, already there and drinking with Cotterell, Mr Greenall flew into a jealous rage and began fighting with his friend, Norwich Crown Court was told yesterday.
A jury heard how Cotterell later told police he had tried to assure Mr Greenall there was nothing going on between the pair.
"He obviously thought there was but I wouldn't do anything like that. He took his watch off and I knew he was looking for a fight," he said.
In the statement Cotterell said he was hit several times before he picked up a kitchen knife with a five to six-inch blade.
"I had it in my hand and was hitting him with a clenched fist. I then stabbed him with the knife.
"I didn't want to hurt him but he was saying he was going to come back with a gun."
Miss Fenton broke down in tears as she described the events of the night of May 11, when Cotterell is alleged to have stabbed Mr Greenall in the neck.
She said she had called at Cotterell's for Mr Greenall, but left when he finally arrived and the fight started.
"Henry looked like a wild animal, he was not like he was normally," she said.
"He was shouting something unpleasant and calling me 'an out of date whore'. I picked up my car keys and left."
Miss Fenton said she returned 20 minutes later to find Mr Greenall lying near the front door.
Mr Greenall was left with a five-and-a-half inch gash in his neck, which severed his artery.
Cotterell denies murdering Mr Greenall, who along with Miss Fenton had lived at his house after moving to West Wickham to run the Montfort Arms pub in Horseheath.
Miss Fenton said Mr Greenall was "a jealous and very possessive man" who did not allow her to see anyone of the opposite sex.
The trial continues.
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