An Ipswich man accused of attempted murder told a jury he had wanted to die when he set fire to his Ipswich flat before later stabbing his friend.
Samuel Huggins, 55, has admitted simple arson in relation to a fire at his Station Street flat on June 26, 2025, but denies arson being reckless as to whether life was endangered, attempted murder, and threatening a person with an offensive weapon.
The court heard that Huggins called 999 on the morning of June 26, and told the handler "I’ve just stabbed somebody", somebody being his long-time friend and neighbour Gary Kerr.
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Ambulance records showed Mr Kerr reported that an individual had entered his flat, assaulted him, and stabbed him multiple times.
The court heard Mr Kerr suffered four stab wounds, including injuries to his abdomen which penetrated the abdominal wall and caused injuries to his small bowel. He also suffered wounds to his hand and thigh.
Giving evidence on Monday, Huggins told jurors he had lived in Ipswich for most of his life and had known Mr Kerr for about 10 years.
Describing him as a friend, he said they saw each other four or five times a week.
"We used to drink on the doorstep together, and smoke as well," he said.
Huggins told the court he had struggled with depression, longstanding alcohol dependency and drug use.
He said several recent bereavements had affected him deeply, including the death of his "best friend in the world".
He also said he was worried he might not be well enough to attend his daughter's wedding as he did not feel he could maintain sobriety.
"I didn’t think I’d make it to the wedding," he said. "I did want to give her away."
The defendant said he had been drinking and smoking cannabis with another friend before returning home during the early hours of June 26.
“I wanted to be dead,” he told the jury.
Huggins said he deliberately started the fire in his kitchen before smoking a cannabis joint and lying on his sofa, with the intention of ending his life through smoke inhalation
Addressing the stabbing, he said he had taken a knife to Mr Kerr's flat because he did not know who else might be there.
He claimed Mr Kerr tried to grab the knife and said: “Hurting Gary I didn't mean to do. I feel bad for Gary, I feel bad for his mum.”
Asked by his barrister, Christopher Paxton KC, whether he intended to kill Mr Kerr or cause him really serious harm, Huggins replied: “No, I didn't.”
The trial continues.
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