A murder accused turned up at a house covered in blood and later told police he and his alleged victim had “slashed” each other, a court heard yesterday.
Darren Barnes, known as Riley, denies killing his “best friend” Robert Reid at his home at 6 Arnage Place, Aberdeen, on October 26, 2016 – and claims he acted in self defence.
The High Court at Aberdeen yesterday heard that 29-year-old Riley appeared at the back door of his former girlfriend’s grandmother’s home with skin hanging from his hands and blood over his face.
Edna Clark – whose granddaughter Stephanie had dated the accused – told advocate depute James Keegan QC that Riley, who is also known as Cannie, had appeared at the property at about 2.30am.
Ms Clark said after hearing a thud from the rear door in the early hours she went to investigate.
She said: “I opened the back door and there was Darren standing there with his hands up.
“They were cut.
“It was slice marks and his skin was hanging off.”
When asked if there was any blood, she said: “Yes. A lot.”
Reading from a statement Ms Clark had given to police at the time, Mr Keegan said: “I immediately saw that Cannie was drunk as he was mumbling and it was hard to understand what he was saying.
“I asked him what happened and he said he was fighting with someone and he was stabbed.
“I asked him who he was fighting with and he said he was fighting with his chum Robert.”
Riley’s defence QC Ian Duguid asked Ms Clark if she knew the alleged victim Mr Reid. She said: “I knew of him but I didn’t know him well.”
He said: “I think you told the police in this statement you knew he had a bad reputation, is that right?”
She replied: “Yes.”
Detective Constable Kayleigh McLean, who attended Ms Clark’s house that night, also gave evidence.
She said Riley had explained to her that he got his injuries at the Rosehill chipper.
However, DC McLean told the court that Riley went on to say Mr Reid had caused the injuries.
She said she noted Riley as saying: “Robert Reid took a knife and slashed him in the face so he took it off him and slashed him back”.
She told the court she was not aware of a disturbance at the chip shop.
Riley, of Don Place, Woodside, Aberdeen, is charged with murdering Mr Reid by repeatedly striking him to the head and body with a knife or similar instrument.
He denies the charge. The trial continues.