Murder accused admits trying to flee the country

Image source, Essex Police

Image caption, Max Richardson, 35, from Cheshunt, Hertfordshire, died from a single stab wound to his torso
  • Author, Leigh Milner
  • Role, 91热爆 News, Essex

A teenager accused of murder has told a court he tried to flee the country when police turned up at his house with a search warrant.

Tieran Carmody, 19, denies murdering Max Richardson in Joyner's Field, Harlow, Essex, on 21 August 2023.

Mr Richardson, 35, from Cheshunt, Hertfordshire, died from a single stab wound to his torso in an ambulance on the way to hospital.

Chelmsford Crown Court heard Mr Carmody used his friend's phone to try to find places he could travel to without a passport when Essex Police arrived at his home in Harlow on 26 August.

'I was scared'

Asked by prosecutor Andrew Jackson where he was thinking of going, Mr Carmody said: 鈥淎nywhere.鈥

When asked why, he said: 鈥淚 was scared. I was scared of the police.鈥

Mr Jackson said: 鈥淵ou were scared that you had killed a man?鈥

Mr Carmody replied: 鈥淵ou could say that."

Mr Jackson said: 鈥淪o why didn鈥檛 you say to the police when you had the opportunity, you did it in self-defence?鈥

Mr Carmody said: 鈥淚 don鈥檛 know."

The jury has previously heard Mr Richardson and a neighbour had confronted Mr Carmody, who was scaring children in the area.

The court heard Mr Carmody threw a punch at the victim, and all three men ended up on the ground, before Mr Carmody walked towards his bicycle to retrieve a foot-long (30cm) machete.

The defendant claims he had "no other choice" but to stab Mr Richardson in self-defence, before fleeing the scene.

Harrison Barnett, 19, of St Mary鈥檚 Crescent, Basildon, Essex, is also on trial accused of perverting the course of justice.

The trial continues.

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