BESPECTACLED Leigh Page said death threats hurled at him in the run-up to the stabbing 'made his heart race.'

Murder suspect Page took the witness stand on Friday to give his version of events leading to the death of 32-year-old Paul Rodgers.

The 30-year-old care worker said the verbal threats began in the kitchen of his Magnolia Rise home over an unpaid taxi fare.

When Mr Rodgers went into the front garden, Page said more threats were hurled at him through a kitchen window making him feel 'anxious, annoyed and threatened.'

He said: "I grabbed the knife off the draining board. I was outside and I waved it around. I was anxious about the way Paul was being. He was making my heart race. I was afraid of what he might do.

"My neighbours have children. I thought it would be a quick end to the situation."

Events spiralled out of control and after being disarmed Page said he grabbed a second knife because he continued to feel in danger.

Page told jurors he feared for his life as he was chased along Magnolia Rise, around a taxi and onto Broadcloth Lane by Mr Rodgers.

He said: "I had a man chasing me even though I had a knife in my hand. I waved the knife at Paul to keep him back. I didn't want to stay facing away from him for long.

"I turned to run and I lost my feet and I went down. I scrabbled to regain my balance.

"I put my hand out with the knife in it. He was very close. I sort of lunged my hand out."

In cross-examination prosecutor Sarah Monro said Page's account was flawed as his alcohol levels at the time of the stabbing would have been three-times more than the UK drink-drive limit. She said: "What you have done is you have tried to fit in your account today with what you now know to be the evidence from the other witnesses and you don't really remember it like that at all."

Miss Monro said Page told colleague Danielle Cook he planned to stab Mr Rodgers and claim self-defence.

"Paul Rodgers never had any form of weapon in his possession at any time," she said.

"You were telling Danielle you were going to stab Paul Rodgers and it would be self-defence. You took every step until finally he was silenced by you.

"Not something you would have done in the cold, sober light of day but that is how you were at that moment. Tunnel vision, eyes bulging and you stormed out of the house. You marched off in pursuit of Paul Rodgers."