A TEENAGER accused of murder says he thought the alleged victim was asleep during a burglary rather than suffering from fatal stab wounds, a court heard.

The 16-year-old from Sydenham, who cannot be named for legal reasons, denies murdering 41-year-old Ian Jones, who was beaten and stabbed during an incident at his home in Creeland Grove, Catford, on May 18.

Justin Barnett, aged 21, of Bargrove Crescent, Catford; Derron Bailey, aged 19, from Camberwell, and Leo Jones, aged 18, of Beechfield Road, Catford, also deny murder.

The 16-year-old defendant told a jury at the Old Bailey yesterday (December 9) that when he turned up at Mr Jones' home with Bailey and Leo Jones to steal from the house, he was unaware anyone was in.

When Mr Jones opened the door, the 16-year-old said he panicked and threw a brick at him.

Describing the scene as the trio approached the house, he said: “I walked past a small brick.

“Derron pointed at it and said 'Pick it up'.”

The 16-year-old went on to say the house remained in darkness when they knocked on the door and Mr Jones answered without turning any lights on.

He added: “There was a big man standing there.

“He was mumbling something. He looked like he was drunk.

“I threw the brick because I was shocked. I didn't know somebody was in the house.”

He then claims to have punched Mr Jones after the older man grabbed Leo Jones's leg. He and Leo Jones then rushed upstairs to ransack the bedroom.

The 16-year-old says Bailey joined them several minutes later, telling them Mr Jones was asleep.

The court heard the trio then snatched an iPod, a digital camera, a plasma TV, cash, jewellery and a computer from the house.

Stephen Kamlish, representing the 16-year-old, asked his client to sketch a picture of how Mr Jones was lying on the floor when the trio came back downstairs.

The 16-year-old then said Mr Jones sounded like he was "snoring”.

He claims it was only later he became aware that Bailey had taken a knife with him to the house. He also claims it was Bailey who had stabbed Mr Jones.

The teenager says Justin Barnett led them to Mr Jones' house but did not take any part in the break-in.

Mr Kamlish asked the 16-year-old: “If you had known someone would have been in the house, would you have set off that night?"

The teenager, who has speech and hearing difficulties, replied: “No.”