There was nothing I could do, jury is told

James Raven, aged 45, of Parnham Close, Radcliffe, was cross-examined at Chester Crown Court where he is accused of the murder of Brian Waters, aged 44, of Mainwaring Close, Nantwich.

The prosecution allege that Mr Waters, aged 44, was tortured and killed in a barn at Burnt House Farm, Tabley - a property that the Waters family used for cultivating cannabis.

Raven is charged with the murder of Mr Waters, along with John Wilson, aged 54, from Brickhouses, Marple Road, Glossop; Otis Matthews, aged 27, from Melbourne Avenue, Manchester, and Ashley Guishard, aged 30, from York Road, Sale. Thay are also accused of causing grievous bodily harm to Suleman Razak.

Raven is also charged with indecent assault. The accused deny all the charges.

The prosecution has alleged that the murder was the result of a falling-out between Wilson and Mr Waters and a suspected debt of £20,000 following deals between the two men.

In cross-examination, Raven said that he was there to tell the truth, despite having originally denied any knowledge of the events that led to Mr Waters' death

He said that he had no part in the torture and murder of Mr Waters, although he had been in the barn while three other men - his cousin Chris More Jr, Otis Matthews and a third man - attacked Mr Waters, along with Natalie and Gavin Waters and Suleman Razak.

"I, too, was a victim. I was a victim in the sense that I saw people being hurt and there was nothing I could do about it. I am a caring, loving person," said Raven.

Mr Patrick Harrington QC, prosecuting, questioned his evidence, describing Raven as a "thug".

He said that the jury had not seen the real James Raven, and that he had been playing a part.

Mr Harrington said: "You look the part. In fact, you cover yourself up as little as possible. You look like a thug, and you don't have to try very hard - you are a thug."

Mr Harrington told the jury that Raven had several convictions for violence, including grievous bodily harm and a road rage incident.

He also said that Raven had a nickname - "the Milkman" - because he always delivered the goods, and that he had various tattoos covering his body including, on his arm: "Approach with caution - extremely violent" and "Never Give In," as well as "Death before dishonour," and "Psychopath" tattooed on his legs. He had "Maniac" written on his back.

Mr Harrington also showed a photograph to the jury of Raven dressed in black with a balaclava and holding a pistol, which Raven said he had taken "as a joke to email for friends".

The jury were shown the imitation gun he owned and said he kept: "because he had five sons" and "it was a lad thing".

Mr Harrington said Raven had lied continuously when the police had interviewed him, denying any knowledge of the incident.

Raven said that he had been protecting his cousin Christopher More Jr through a "misguided sense of loyalty", because he loved and had trusted him, even after he was lied to by him and having watched him murder a man.

Mr Harrington said that evidence given by Mr Razak and Gavin Waters stated that a man fitting the description of Raven had been the leader in the incident and had constantly questioned Mr Waters about money.

Raven said: "More violence would have occurred if I hadn't stopped them. I stopped some violence from happening. I did the best I could."

Proceeding