Robber 'panicked when heroin dealer victim pulled out a sword'

A MAN accused of murdering his drug dealer during a bungled robbery told a jury he panicked when his kitchen knife was trumped by his victim pulling out a sword.

Ross Hendry, 37, admitted plotting with three others to raid heroin dealer Denis Parker's home to steal money and drugs and the two safes he used.

He told the High Court in Perth that the gang expected Parker to part with his drugs and money "like a two-year-old" because he was a frail character who had been robbed before.

Hendry said he and co- accused James Henry, 36, donned masks and took knives to the Musselburgh flat and expected to counter little resistance from Mr Parker.

But he said that after they burst into the flat they were surprised to find that their intended victim was not alone, but had several friends with him.

Hendry presented the kitchen knife, but said he was "terrified" when Mr Parker pulled out a machete-style sword and came towards him.

"I thought he would hand over his drugs and money and we could take the safes. He was quite a frail person and he was a nice guy. He was nice and pleasant and polite.

"I was aware he had been robbed on two occasions," Hendry said. "I couldn't hurt him. It would be a liberty to intentionally hurt Denis. It would affect my conscience.

"I didn't think there would be violence. We went in quickly and the first thing that hit me was surprise. I was surprised by the amount of people.

"Denis had his right hand draped over the chair. In his hand he had a sword. He stood up with the sword in his hand. I took hold of his arm. The next I knew I was on the couch on top of him."

He said Mr Parker's friend, John Scott, jumped on to his back, so he pulled his knife round and stabbed him on the leg as a warning.

Ross Stewart, aka Hendry, 37, and James Henry, 36, who are both in prison, deny murdering Denis Parker on April 24, 2010 after forming a plot to rob him at his home.

They deny forming a criminal plan with Gemma McGowan and Karen Cosgrove to gain access to Mr Parker's home at Eskside West in Musselburgh to rob him.

They deny being masked and entering the flat, repeatedly demanding money and drugs from Mr Parker, before stabbing him repeatedly with a knife and murdering him.

The duo also deny assaulting John Scott at the flat by striking him on the body with a knife to his severe injury and permanent disfigurement on the same date.

Both also deny destroying evidence at Eskview Grove and Stoneyhill Farm Road, Musselburgh, in a bid to defeat the ends of justice.

The trial, before Lord Doherty, continues.