A MAN facing a murder charge told a jury that he loved the victim like a brother and he had been defending himself at the time of the killing.

Preston Crown Court has heard that Brian Jeffers would have died within minutes after being stabbed in the heart.

Glasgow born James McGrady, 48, who lived on the same caravan site at Grane Road, Haslingden, denies murder.

Mr Jeffers -- who was known as Jip -- sustained eight wounds, and three had penetrated his heart, liver and spleen.

His body was found the next morning after McGrady made a 999 call. McGrady told the jury he had travelled since he was aged 16, had no roots and had been drinking for 34 years.

He left Scotland in April 2003 and lived at various places in Preston, where he met Mr Jeffers, who led a similar lifestyle. They moved to Haslingden and McGrady said they had arguments "worse than a cat and dog" and would then shake hands. In the caravan Jip had called him a 'Scottish bastard' after a bit of an argument earlier in the day.

He said Mr Jeffers had hold of a vodka bottle by the neck so he reached for the knife.

"Why?" asked David Fish QC, defending.

"I panicked, fear," replied McGrady.

"What did you think was going to happen?" asked Mr Fish.

"That bottle was coming towards me," replied McGrady.

"Do you accept he died of stab wounds which you inflicted," asked Mr Fish.

"Yes," replied McGrady. McGrady said at the time he was "very drunk."

"Did you want to kill him?" asked Mr Fish. "No," replied McGrady.

"Did you intend to cause him really serious injury. What were you trying to do?"

"Defend myself," replied McGrady.

He said he then left the caravan and his recollection was vague. He said he passed out and awoke the next morning. He did not think Jip was dead or dying.

In the morning, he returned to the caravan and thought Jip had passed out and was asleep, he said. He went to another caravan for a cup of tea and a cigarette and returned. He shouted Jip's name but got no answer.

"I shook him. There was something about the look, the colour. I felt his face, it was stone cold. That's when I realised he was not breathing," said McGrady.

He said he called for the emergency services and waited by a phone box in the village for police.

(Proceeding)