Man with learning disability denies flats stabbing

A 27-year-old man with a learning disability has told a murder trial he did not stab a grandfather at a block of flats when trying to buy cannabis.

Yasar Hussain, who denies murder, told jurors that he pushed 53-year-old David Dosa after they met in Farley Hill, Luton, on 15 August 2024.

He said he hoped to buy drugs, but he did not have "any weapons" and had no intention of hurting Mr Dosa.

Luton Crown Court has heard that Mr Dosa was seen brandishing his walking stick and chasing Mr Hussain after being stabbed in the neck outside his flat in Farley Court.

Mr Hussain, who also denies possessing a bladed article, told jurors he wanted cannabis for his birthday and had travelled from his home in Cades Close in the town to see Mr Dosa.

He said he had bought cannabis from Mr Dosa before.

"He was not talking to me like he normally would," Mr Hussain told jurors.

"He was getting a bit aggressive with me."

Mr Hussain said they had gone inside the block of flats where Mr Dosa lived and the older man had attacked him.

"He smacked me with the walking stick," Mr Hussain told the court.

"He smacked me on my head.

"I fell to the ground, then he hit my back somehow.

"I just pushed him; I just opened the door and left, and he chased me."

Mr Hussain said he had "no idea" that Mr Dosa had been stabbed.

He said he had seen "a man" at the "back entrance" to the block of flats.

"The person that I saw," he added.

"I thought it could have been someone else.

"I didn't have any weapons or anything."

Judge Michael Kay has told jurors that Mr Hussain had a "communication difficulty" and had been "diagnosed with a learning disability".

An intermediary has been with Mr Hussain during the trial to help him understand what was being said.

Prosecuting barrister Sean Larkin KC had earlier told jurors how Mr Hussain travelled to Mr Dosa's home on an e-scooter.

The two men had been seen talking outside the home and their meeting was captured on CCTV.

Mr Dosa had turned and walked along the path towards his home - followed by Mr Hussain.

Minutes later Mr Hussain ran back down the path followed by Mr Dosa.

"Mr Dosa has been stabbed," Mr Larkin told jurors.

"He is now running whilst bleeding. He is chasing after Mr Hussain with his walking stick."

He said Mr Dosa died shortly afterwards and the weapon used to stab Mr Dosa had never been found.

"The prosecution case is that Mr Hussain stabbed Mr Dosa in the neck with the bladed article that has never been recovered," the prosecuting counsel said.

Mr Hussain had been arrested at an address in Aylesbury, Buckinghamshire after Mr Dosa died, jurors heard.

Evidence suggested that Mr Dosa, who used a walking stick "on occasions", was a drug user and involved in "some sort" of supply of cannabis, Mr Larkin said.

The trial continues.

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