Man threw breeze block at cousin to "scare him", court hears
10:15am Monday 6th February 2012 in Where I Live
Wallington man Paul Coleman was killed
A man who killed his cousin with a breeze block said he only meant to scare him, a court heard.
Peter Attwell, of Bermondsey, hurled the slab towards Paul Coleman after an argument at a party in St Andrews Road, Coulsdon, in the early hours of August 14 last year.
Mr Attwell, 32, who denies murder but admits manslaughter, told the Old Bailey on Friday how he threw the breeze block after his cousin confronted him in the street.
He said: “I picked the block up and raised it above my head.
“I don’t remember running with it.
“I threw it from above my head like a football throw-in.
“I just wanted to try and make them back off.
“I was trying to scare them back.
“As soon as I let go I turned around and ran.
“I thought I had scared them off but they were still there.”
The court had previously heard how a pathologist found the injuries which killed Mr Coleman, 35 of Royston Avenue, Wallington, would not have been caused by one blow.
The jury heard how Mr Attwell had thought it was a joke when he was told Mr Coleman was in hospital.
He said: “I was pretty upset.
“I could not believe it.
“I thought they were joking. I thought it was a sick prank.”
Cross examining, Jeremy Donne QC suggested Mr Attwell had said: “I’m going to ******* do him” as he picks up the breeze block.
Mr Donne handed the slab to the jury to feel its weight.
He said: “What happened that night has devastated not one but two families.
“It is your actions that have caused that devastation.
“You picked the block up and ran over 80m with it.”
Mr Donne accused Mr Attwell of having a “red mist” descend on him as he threw the block at Mr Coleman.
The trial continues.
