One of the men accused of murdering a father-of-three from Carshalton has made an impassioned plea to the jury not to convict his co-accused.

David John Howard, 43, and William Scott, 54, both of Winchcombe Road, are jointly accused of murdering their friend Daniel Tyson, 43, of Paisley Terrace, Carshalton.

Mr Howard said he couldn't live with it if Mr Scott was convicted of murder.

Mr Scott has denied any involvement in causing the death of Mr Tyson, who had his throat slashed and sustained multiple stab wounds to the neck, face and chest on April 26 on Winchcombe Road in Carshalton.

Some of the wounds were so deep they penetrated his heart and liver.

Mr Howard told the jury yesterday: “[Mr Scott] has nothing to do with this. He is not the type. He has not backed me up or supported me.”

He added: “If he gets found guilty of murder it's a travesty. He is the nicest, kindest, mildest person. “He couldn't have stopped it. I'm not letting him spend 25 years behind bars for something that happened between me and Danny.”

Mr Howard has admitting stabbing Mr Tyson on Winchcombe Road in Carshalton, but said he was acting in self defence and he feared for his life. The case continues.