Stabbing was self defence says student who hid in toilet

A college student accused of “repeatedly and ferociously” stabbing a man in broad daylight on Tolworth Broadway has claimed he was acting in self defence.

Larry Kukoyi, 22, of Millais Way, Epsom, appeared in Kingston Crown Court for the first day of his trial today. He is alleged to have stabbed 23-year-old Fabrice Benjamin three times in the stomach with a kitchen knife on March 10, this year. A knife was later found under a toilet seat in a Goals football centre the defendant was alleged to be hiding in. 

CCTV footage of victim Mr Benjamin, who appeared to start a fight with Mr Kukoyi as he walked past him outside Lebanese cafe and takeway Rose Kitchen, was shown to jurors. Radio Jackie’s CCTV camera down the road showed Mr Benjamin pull out a knife as the pair began to start fighting in the road. The stabbing took place at about 6pm and several witnesses could be seen in CCTV shown in court helping Mr Benjamin as he clutched at his stomach outside the cafe. Footage then showed Mr Kukoyi running off across the Greenway. Police officers later arrested him in nearby Goals football centre in Kingston Road, where he had hid in the toilets, the court heard.

A kitchen knife was later discovered from under one of the seats of the toilets in the centre. Mr Kukoyi was originally charged with attempted murder but this has been downgraded to wounding with intent to cause grievous bodily harm, which he denies.

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