According to testimony given in court, a man “accidentally” stabbed his mother in the heart and liver before hugging her and running away.
On August 22 of last year, Karen Dempsey, 55, was stabbed in a Kirkby, Liverpool, sports pub.
Jamie Dempsey, her son, is accused of killing her during a confrontation with Brian Flynn, his heroin dealer, to whom he owed a debt of about $2,000 at the time.
According to evidence presented at Liverpool Crown Court, Mr. Flynn ‘glassed’ the 32-year-old inside the establishment before he was also stabbed.
Afterwards, Dempsey claimed to have been acting in self-defence, telling police: ‘I was scared for my life, what do you want me to do?’
Peter Glenser KC, prosecuting, said the mother and son had arranged to meet for a drink in the bar, even though Dempsey had raised concerns about his foe being there.
Jurors heard a fight broke out about half an hour after the pair had arrived in the premises, with Mr Flynn hurling a glass at the defendant, smashing it in the back of his head.
Mr Flynn then ‘followed up this assault with punches’ thrown at Dempsey as Ms Dempsey and others managed to restrain him.
But Mr Flynn then picked up a second glass and again chucked it at Dempsey who fled the bar via the back door.
Another confrontation erupted outside, with Dempsey now clutching a knife in his right hand.
He stabbed Mr Flynn at least twice before a man, referred to in court only as ‘Male A’.
Ms Dempsey also attempted to intervene, but the blade ‘made contact’ with her chest, piercing her heart and liver.
The fighting ceased and Dempsey hugged his mum before fleeing the scene of the crime, leaving her with blood pouring down her dress.
Ms Dempsey, a grandmother, was rushed to Aintree University Hospital where she was pronounced dead at 9.45pm.
A ‘heavily bloodstained’ Mr Flynn was stopped by police nearby and arrested. He too was taken to hospital after suffering serious injuries, having being stabbed in left armpit.
Dempsey was later dropped off outside a closed police station by a friend. After phoning Merseyside Police, he told them ‘he was wanted’ – not yet knowing his mum was dead.
In a recording played to the court, he said: ‘I have been accused of stabbing someone tonight but I haven’t. It was in self-defence. There’s been an altercation. I’ve defended myself.’
Dempsey, of Brechin Road, Kirkby, is defended by Timothy Cray KC, and denies murder. The trial continues.