THE man accused of murdering "gentle giant" Anthony Leecy admitted fighting with him at the spot where he was killed, a jury heard.

Transcripts of police interviews with Danny Derbyshire, 24, of Burnley Road, Accrington, were read out at Preston Crown Court, where he has pleaded not guilty to murder.

Derbyshire was arrested two days after the 27-year-old mill worker, of Standen Road, Clitheroe, died.

The trial heard that Derbyshire and Mr Leecy were drinking and playing pool for money in the hours leading up to the death.

The two men were caught on CCTV cameras walking through Clitheroe town centre early on Wednesday April 1, just minutes before Mr Leecy died.

Mr Leecy's badly battered body was found later that morning in nearby Mearley Brook.

When he was first interviewed by police, Derbyshire claimed he made his way straight to a taxi rank and to his home.

Derbyshire, who is married and has a young child, later admitted that there had been a fight.

He claimed that Mr Leecy, who was earlier described as a shy man who avoided violence, launched an unprovoked attack. Derbyshire said he was a close friend of Mr Leecy's but could give no reason for why he was attacked.

He said Mr Leecy lunged at him and pushed him down the embankment into the brook.

Derbyshire told police he fought with Mr Leecy and landed two punches on his face.

He denied using any weapons or stamping on Mr Leecy's head. He said the last time he saw Mr Leecy he was standing in the brook.

Police found blood on the bridge under Peel Street near the town centre.

Forensic tests on Derbyshire's clothes failed to turn up any traces of blood.

The transcribed interview read out in court said: "He gave me a right big push and sent me sliding down the embankment. He came at me at speed and the next thing a fist came flying at me."

Derbyshire claimed the fight lasted several minutes before he ran away across nearby fields.

Asked why he had changed his statement, he replied: "I was frightened what was going to happen to me.

"I was there with him and I was in the brook with him. I was in the brook where he died."

Derbyshire, who has pleaded not guilty to the murder, admitted playing pool for money in several pubs on the night of the killing. But he denied playing for high stakes with Anthony Leecy.

The court heard that it was well known in Clitheroe that Mr Leecy had difficulty holding on to his money and had large gambling debts.

Derbyshire denied that there had been any argument over gambling debts.

(Proceeding)

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