THE man who fatally stabbed Connor Tremble will argue he was suffering from a mental condition and acting in self defence, a jury was told today.

This morning in Oxford Crown Court prosecution barrister Richard Barton outlined the defences to murder which have been put forward by William Blencowe.

The barrister said there is no dispute that the 21-year-old defendant caused Connor's death during an incident at the teenager's flat in Fairacres Road, Oxford, on February 13 this year.

But Mr Barton said Blencowe, of Oxford Road, Banbury, denies the crime and claims he had "diminished responsibility" because he was suffering from a mental condition, so can't be held responsible for killing the 17-year-old.

The prosecutor told the jury members they will have to decide if this is true or if really it was "a planned murderous act, in which he remained in control throughout".

Bradley Jones, 21, of New Road, Bledington, and Grant Clemens, 23, of Stockwells, Moreton-in-Marsh, are also on trial and both deny perverting the course of justice.

The trial continues.

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