A COURT has heard how a Reading man would regularly have cups of tea with the grandfather he is accused of murdering.
Jacob Trussler, 37, stands accused of the fatal stabbing of David Allen, 77, at his Elgar Road home on December 1, 2021.
Trussler denies murdering the man he is said to have known since a young age.
On day three of Trussler’s murder trial, his brother Luke gave evidence from the witness box.
A jury heard how Luke Trussler was also ‘very friendly’ with David Allen, who he had known since the age of 8.
He said he had visited Mr Allen’s house ‘hundreds of times’ growing up.
Luke Trussler said he got on well with his brother, Jacob, and they would be in regular phone communication.
The witness also agreed that David Allen and the murder-accused got on well and told the court Jacob would regularly visit the 77-year-old for cups of tea.
Mr Trussler also told the court about discovering David Allen on the evening of December 1, 2021.
Reading Crown Court had previously heard how Luke’s father, Barry, had asked his son to check on Mr Allen after Jacob Trussler had told his half-brother about ‘beating the f*** out of Dave.’
Luke Trussler arrived at Elgar Road just after 8pm and let himself in, only to discover Mr Allen lying sideways with his chest facing the floor.
He observed that Mr Allen was wearing a dressing gown and there was smashed mugs on the floor.
The witness confirmed to the court that it was apparent Mr Allen was dead when he arrived at his house and he called the emergency services.
Mr Allen died from stab wounds to the chest, Reading Crown Court heard on day one of the trial.
Prior to Mr Trussler’s evidence on day three of the trial, the jury were played CCTV of Jacob Trussler’s movements in the hours after he left Mr Allen’s house just after 11am on December 1.
They were also shown footage of Jacob Trussler being arrested by police the following morning just after 9am.
The trial continues.
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