A MAN accused of murdering a fellow coin collector said someone else was responsible while wearing his shoes.

Danny Bostock, 33, is accused of killing Gordon McGhee at his home in Forest Road, Colchester, to get his hands on rare coins including Beatrix Potter 50ps.

Giving evidence at Ipswich Crown Court, Bostock said he was at his friend Melissa Mcgrory’s flat the night before smoking and drinking with Daniel Welham and Mr McGhee - who also lived in the block.

Bostock and Mr Welham had been bickering over money which had gone missing from Miss Mcgrory’s flat.

To stop the argument, Miss Mcgrory self harmed and Bostock did the same as a show of solidarity towards her, before Mr Welham left.

Bostock told the jury he thought it was Mr Welham - who has never been arrested or charged and is not on trial - who killed Mr McGhee, 52, while wearing Bostock’s shoes which explains footprints found in blood at the flat.

“I believe when Daniel Welham went out of Mill’s [Melissa Mcgrory’s] flat he has picked up my trainers thinking they were his,” he said.

Bostock told Miss Mcgrory he would go to hospital for treatment on their injuries but instead decided to cycle away. He said his shoes were in a different place to where he had left them.

He then went to a shop in Barrack Street for more beers, before returning to his house in Berberis Walk and then back to his partner’s in Tangerine Close.

Bostock had lied to her about where he was going that night to “save an argument” because she did not like him spending time with Miss Mcgrory.

When Mr McGhee,was found gas from his cooker had been switched on and a dish cloth was burned in an apparent bid to cause an explosion.

Bostock’s DNA was on the towel but he said he had used it to mop up spilt water.

'Gordon was a jolly person'

Halstead Gazette:

A COIN collector stabbed to death in his flat was “a jolly person” according to the man accused of murdering him.

Danny Bostock said he saw Gordon McGhee up to four times per week because he lived next door to their mutual friend Melissa Mcgrory.

When Bostock was asked to describe Mr McGhee he said: “He was a happy, jolly person, a friendly drunk who told it how it was, he was a good person.

“He always had a drink in his hand or on the table.”

Bostock said Mr McGhee had shown him his own coin collection twice and given him six coins - three sixpences and three thrupenny bits.

Bostock had his own coin collection which were made up of limited edition 50ps and £2 coins.

The father-of-two said he wanted to pass on the collection to his children or step-children.

He said: “I am quite proud of it because I am not usually good at saving money.

“I would like them to go to my son or give them to my partner to give to her of her children.”

The jury was told Bostock had a troubled childhood and racked up convictions for assault, burglary and handling stolen goods.

He was also jailed for rape in 2008 when he was using the name Danny Maltman but still denies the sex attack.

Bostock accepted he could be impulsive and was at a bad point in his life at the time of his offending.

Bostock denies murder and attempted arson.

n The trial continues.