An Ipswich man on trial for murder stabbed an intoxicated man to death over an alleged bungled drugs deal, Norwich Crown Court has heard

The trial of Tevin Birmingham, 21, of Spring Road, Ipswich, and Warren Ricardo Blake, 18, of Thorncliffe Road, London, began at Norwich Crown Court yesterday.

The pair have pleaded not guilty to the murder of Andrew McGowan in Great Yarmouth on November 14 last year.

Blake and Birmingham, who has also lived at William Kett Close, Norwich, have both denied supplying cocaine the supply of cocaine on the same date.

Birmingham and Blake were using a flat in Dickens Court, Great Yarmouth, as a drug dealing base when they became involved in a confrontation with Mr McGowan, the jury heard.

Andrew Radcliffe, prosecuting, said that Mr McGowan, 33, who had taken a cocktail of drink and drugs, had gone to the address armed with a hammer in an attempt to either buy drugs or in a “befuddled hope” of robbing Blake and Birmingham.

He said a confrontation in the bedroom ended with Mr McGowan being stabbed five times, with one fatal wound to his heart.

“He was heavily intoxicated at the time he was killed.”

Also in the dock are Charlene Barber, 34, of Dickens Avenue, Yarmouth, and Kevin Wood, 45, of Nelson Road Central, Yarmouth, who are alleged to have helped Blake and Birmingham flee the scene after the fatal stabbing by delaying calling 999.

They both deny doing an act to pervert the course of justice.

In his opening address to the jury, Mr Radcliffe said that there was a drugs background to the case. Following the fatal stabbing, he said Blake and Birmingham fled to London where they were arrested ten days later.

In police interview he said Blake admitted stabbing the victim but said it was self-defence and Birmingham denied any involvement, although admitted he had been present.

However, he said that a post-mortem examination showed that there was a possibility that two knives were used in the attack.

The trial continues.