Murder accused Daniel de Costa told police he stabbed 35-year-old Matthew Baggott to death after the father-of-one from Devizes had shoved him in the back, a jury heard yesterday.

Winchester Crown Court was told on Monday that there is no disagreement that de Costa, 31, of Kingsbury Square, Melksham, was responsible for the death of Mr Baggott.

But there is contention as to whether de Costa was fully responsible for his actions or whether, as his defence contends, he was suffering from an abnormality of mind that led to his actions.

De Costa has admitted manslaughter but pleaded not guilty to murder on the grounds of diminished responsibly.

Yesterday a transcript of the police interview with de Costa the day after the stabbing in St John’s Court, Devizes, on September 6, 2007 was read out before the jury.

De Costa had told police that he and his friend Julian Hill had left Melksham to escape the drugs scene there and were living rough in Potterne Woods.

On the day of the killing they had walked into Devizes and de Costa bought a four inch lock knife as a camping aid. The two men bought a bottle of QC sherry and made their way to St John’s Churchyard, a known haunt for rough drinkers.

De Costa told police: “I used to go to Downlands School so I know Devizes quite well.” Among the group of drinkers was Mr Baggott who de Costa described as vascillating between bouts of sadness and anger.

De Costa told police: “He pointed to a tomb and said that’s my home. At first I thought he meant he dossed there but then I got his meaning. He sat down on a gravestone and started to cry. I put my arm around him to comfort him.”

De Costa and Mr Hill began to walk away from the churchyard, de Costa claimed, while Mr Baggott and two others followed.

De Costa told police that Mr Baggott started being aggressive towards a big bloke thought to be Mark Hiscock. De Costa reported Mr Hiscock as saying: “Why are you doing this? Leave me alone.”

De Costa told police that when he looked away he suddenly felt a shove in his back.

He said: “I pulled the knife out of my pocket. I don’t know why I did. It was a fluid motion. I opened the blade and stabbed him. I don’t know where or how many times.”

He said Mr Baggott said ‘why are you doing this?’, that’s all he said.”

Mr Hiscock, who described himself as a close friend of Mr Baggott when he gave evidence on Monday, has denied this version of events.

The trial continues.