'Jibe led to killing'

AN ALCOHOLIC accused of battering a man to death told police the victim smashed a vodka bottle over his head for insulting Tottenham FC, a court heard.

Wayne Green, 56, of Whalebone Lane, Dagenham, claimed Orville Henry, 48, flew into a rage after he called Spurs a vile swear word during a drinking session.

He told jurors his co-defendant Ashley Robinson, 42, of no fixed address, then hit Mr Henry with a second bottle.

Later that evening, police arrived at Mr Henry's house in Holmwood Road, Ilford, to find him lying dead on his bed.

Witnesses claimed the three-bedroom flat was so blood spattered it looked as if it had been the scene of "mass murder".

Green and Robinson continued to drink cans of beer as paramedics tried to revive the victim on the evening of June 5 last year, the Old Bailey court heard.

Following his arrest, Green said he went round to the victim's home because Robinson invited him round for a drink.

He said he recognised Mr Henry, but did not know his name.

Green added: "He's a football person. Just because I called Tottenham something offensive he jumped up and said: 'You can't come in my house and call my team that. That's disrespectful'.

"He just hit me with the vodka bottle.

"It hit me, but not fully otherwise my whole face would be smashed in.

"I went to the kitchen to clean myself up - get some tissues, kitchen roll.

"As soon as I got hit, Ashley jumped him and hit him over the head with the other vodka bottle. I was in shock."

He claimed he did not see the impact because he was wiping the cut on his head.

Green said: "When I came back out again, Orville is on the sofa.

"Ashley is sitting down again and they are drinking as if nothing has happened."

Asked why he thought Robinson had hit Mr Henry, he said: "They had been arguing all morning and Orville wanted him out of there.

"Ashley was annoyed with Orville hitting me in the face like that."

Green and Robinson both deny murder.

The trial continues.