A MAN accused of murdering his identical twin has tearfully told a court how he loved his brother.

Giving evidence for the first time today, Robert Cerqua told jurors at Winchester Crown Court how he did not intend to kill his brother Christopher following a row at their family home in Langdown Road, Hythe, on New Year's Eve 2013.

Christopher died from his injuries following a single stab wound to the abdomen.

Robert, 31, told the the court how they were inseparable as children, enjoying the same hobbies such as fishing and golf.

But he said Christopher's personality had changed since moving back to the family home and said he confided that he was feeling suicidal and depressed.

Robert told the court how Christopher would get aggressive when he had been drinking alcohol and was addicted to cannabis.

He said: "I believe he was suicidal. My mum took him to see the GP because of his recent behaviour.

"Over the Christmas break he said he was going to see his dealer. I went with him and on the way back I said 'Do you fancy going to the pub?'.

"We went to The Heath in Dibden Perlieu and I said 'What's wrong with you lately?'.

"He said 'I'm getting depressed and suicidal. Say sorry to mum but I cannot speak to women at the moment', which I thought was quite strange."

Robert told the court how an argument erupted in the kitchen of their family home after the pair had been drinking cans of Stella in the afternoon of New Year's Eve.

He told jurors how Christopher picked up a knife and pointed it and him.

Patrick Upward, defending, asked Robert: "What was going through your mind?".

"At that point I thought I have got to get this knife", Robert said.

"My memory is a bit hazy but we scuffled. The next thing I know I looked down and I had the knife in my hand.

"He let out a yelp. When he yelped that's the reason why he looked down and that's when I realised he had come into contact with the knife."

Mr Upward asked: "It might be suggested you stabbed him in the abdomen to kill him or cause him serous injury, is there any truth in that?"

Robert said: "None at all. It was to stop him attacking me."

When Mr Upward asked Robert if this was a case of two brothers who could not stand the sight of each other, the defendant tried to hold back the tears.

Mr Upward said: "How would describe those feelings for your brother?"

Robert tearfully said: "I loved him."

Robert Cerqua, of Langdown Road, Hythe, denies murder.

Proceeding.