Drinker stabbed friend in self defence

A WOMAN who stabbed her drinking pal to death after downing vodka told police she was acting in self defence, a court has heard.

David Greenhill, 64, was found slumped in a chair in his untidy Edinburgh home with a large kitchen knife in his hand.

Anne Russell, 55, was accused of his murder - and of attempting to cover up the crime by planting the knife in his grasp.

But a doctor found marks on her arm and fingers which might have been defensive injuries, the High Court in Edinburgh heard yesterday.

Russell, who appeared from custody, pleaded guilty to a reduced charge of culpable homicide and a charge of attempting to defeat the ends of justice was dropped. She now faces sentence later this month.

"The Crown accepts that the accused acted under provocation," said advocate depute Andrew Stewart QC, prosecuting. Twice married mother-of-two Russell was remanded in custody.