I didn't kill him, says teen accused of murder

A teenager accused of murdering a man on Christmas Day has told jurors he "did not kill" him, but has admitted having blood on his trainers.

William McNicholl, 63, was discovered at his home in Ipswich by police a week later, having suffered serious head injuries and a stab wound to the right shoulder.

Jake McMillan, of Peterhouse Close in the Chantry area of the town, is accused of killing him at some point between 15:15 GMT and 17:15 on 25 December 2024.

At Ipswich Crown Court, the 18-year-old denied having anything to do with his murder but admitted he went home to change his clothes after discovering the body.

"No, I did not kill Mr McNicholl and I had no involvement in his murder," he told the court while being questioned by defence barrister Gillian Jones KC.

"There was no incident [between us on the day]. I found Billy dead but I have no idea who killed him."

When asked what he would have done differently in retrospect, he said: "I would have reported it."

The court had been told earlier in the trial that McMillan threw away a knife, three of the victim's phones, and the clothes he was wearing.

On Thursday, jurors were told McMillan went home after discovering the body, before changing his clothes and shoes.

He said this was because he was going out to meet friends and wanted to wear his "new clothes".

"There was no blood on my clothes as far as I'm aware but I changed my black shoes to my white Air Force 1s because they had blood on them, on the bottom," he said.

"I put them at the bottom of the stairs and then I threw them away some time that week. I threw them away in the bin because I noticed they had blood on them."

McMillan admitted taking and throwing three of McNicholl's phones in the river near the Sir Bobby Robson Bridge, and said he did so as he wanted to "destroy them".

The defendant said he did not tell his parents what he had seen because he was "worried" they would call police.

"I thought I would be arrested."

The court was previously told that McMillan had been seen on camera footage arriving in the area on Christmas Day.

Officers found the body at the home a week later on New Year's Day.

In questioning, McMillan told police he went to the victim's home because he wanted to collect his rucksack.

The trial continues.

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