Guard stabbing was an 'accident'

Paul Cavanagh was stabbed at the HMV store

A man accused of murdering a security guard has told Norwich Crown Court he stabbed the victim accidentally.

Paul Cavanagh, 30, of Rockland St Mary, Norfolk, was stabbed to death on 18 December, 2006, at the HMV store in Chapelfield shopping centre, Norwich.

David Watson, 20, of Hackney, east London, denies murdering the guard.

Mr Watson, who also denies wounding with intent and attempting to wound with intent, told the court he did not realise he had the knife in a bag.

The bag also contained £1,400 of hard drugs, and Mr Watson said he was worried that if they were discovered his dealer - to whom he owed money - would blow up his mother's house.

'Blood everywhere'

He said he stole a CD from HMV as he thought he would get away with it, but he was challenged by Mr Cavanagh.

"I made the decision to get the knife out to scare him and escape. I did not intend to harm him with it," said Mr Watson.

The two struggled and then fell against the door, he told the court.

"I go to get up and looked down and there was blood everywhere. I do not know what happened," he said.

"I was not aware of the knife going in to him. I was shocked and scared and I do not know how it happened."

The case continues.