A MAN accused of murdering a Hampshire teenager showed his injuries to police to back up his claim that he had acted in self-defence, a court heard.

Jurors were told that Aaron Roche, who had been severely beaten in the fatal fight with Dele Little, said to a police officer: "Look at me, it was self-defence."

Roche, 21, suffered cuts and bruises after fighting Dele and then in an attack by his friends, Winchester Crown Court heard.

He is accused of murder after allegedly stabbing Dele, 15, of Powell Crescent, Totton, through the heart in the clash outside West Totton Centre on February 3 this year.

Roche, a groundworker, formerly of Ringwood Road, Lyndhurst, denies the charge.

PC Howard Miell was the first to speak to Roche at the home of his girlfriend Kayleigh Shinn, 18, in Oakdene, Totton, within about 30 minutes of the knifing.

Roche was sitting on the kitchen floor, bruised and bloodied and holding an ice pack to his left eye.

The police officer told the jury: "Aaron was sat on the floor of the kitchen against the cupboards. His top half was unclothed. His chest and upper body was covered in blood.

"I asked him what had happened. He explained that his girlfriend had been attacked by a group of boys.

"He had run over at which point he was attacked by the same group of boys, to which he commented: 'Look at me, it was self-defence.' "

PC Miell said Roche admitted having a knife. "I asked 'did you stab him?' to which he replied: 'I think so.' "

In a statement, PC Robert Rees said Roche was charged with murder after Dele was pronounced dead later that evening.

PC Rees said: "He didn't reply. He sat holding his hands over his face and sobbing."

The trial heard evidence of how people tried to save Dele as he laying on the ground.

Tony Misiura, a care worker who was in the centre bar, rushed out to give first aid. In a statement, he told how Dele struggled for life: "The victim was gasping for air. After a short period the breathing diminished and almost stopped. I was talking to him but he didn't respond."

The first on-duty police officer on the scene was PC Jenna Ryrie.

In a statement, she said: "His eyes were open. A lady said: 'He's fading fast.' "

Earlier, a friend of Dele told how he comforted the dying boy. He said he watched the fight: "I saw a knife. Aaron was holding it in his right hand. As soon as I saw it I kicked it.'' Tim Mousley QC, defending, denounced the kick claim as "complete nonsense".

The youth, who cannot be named for legal reasons, said: "Dele stumbled back with his hand on his chest. That was when I realised it was serious."

He said he attacked Roche, punching him and telling him "you just stabbed my mate" before going to over to where Dele was lying.

He said: "I was there on the floor with Dele with lots of people crowded around. I held his hand while he was on the floor.'' Roche's work colleague Mark O'Connor said Roche used the flick knife at work.

Mr O'Connor agreed with Mr Mousley that Roche was not the type to get into a fight. He concurred with Mr Mousley's suggestion that Roche was "more of a runner than a fighter."

Anthony Murray, who refereed Roche at football, said: "He is one of the quieter, well-behaved players."

Proceeding