A MAN accused of the murder of his friend said he was upset because his grandfather had died following the incident, a court heard.

Paul Mapps, 26, from Trinant, denies murdering Ian Davies at his Marshfield Road home on January 11 this year.

Wayne Davies, a distant relative of Ian Davies and a stepfather figure to Mapps’ girlfriend Kayleigh Forbes, gave evidence at his trial at Cardiff Crown Court yesterday.

Mr Davies said that at about 10pm on the evening of Ian Davies’ death from a single puncture wound to the abdomen, Mapps and his girlfriend had arrived at his Pentwyn Terrace house.

Mr Davies said of Mapps: “He was upset, crying. He said his grandfather had passed away. He looked a bit intoxicated to me.”

He said Paul did not drink any coffee, but instead phoned his father asking to be picked up.

“He just said, ‘My head’s in bits. My father’s coming to pick me up.’”

Mr Davies said he did not mention Ian Davies’ name.

He added that Mapps was wearing a yellow body warmer belonging to his girlfriend, and had scratches on one hand similar to those from brambles.

Police arrived as Mapps was leaving the property.

Mr Davies said on an earlier occasion Mapps had threatened to harm 27-year-old Ian Davies, who had been dating his sister.

He claimed Mapps told him: “If he [Ian Davies] hurts my sister, I’ll stab him.”

But the defence said the witness could have been mistaken about this. Mr Davies agreed that Kayleigh Forbes could have been first to say Mapps was upset because his grandfather had died.

Ian Davies was treated by paramedics at a property on Marshfield Road, but died at the Royal Gwent Hospital at 9.30pm on January 11.

Proceeding.