Fatal teen stabbing was 'reckless moment' - court
Family handoutA teenager accused of murdering a 16-year-old boy in a stabbing over an unpaid £20 cannabis debt has said it was a "tragic and reckless moment".
The 16-year-old accused is on trial at Hove Crown Court charged with the murder of Joshua Ingram, who was stabbed with a 19cm (7.5 inch) knife at Seaford railway station in East Sussex on 10 September 2025.
He has pleaded guilty to an alternative charge of manslaughter.
He is also accused, along with two youths aged 17 and 15, of conspiracy to cause grievous bodily harm with intent, with the 15-year-old also charged with assisting an offender, something the 17-year-old has pleaded guilty to.
On Monday the 16-year-old defendant told jurors that after the stabbing, he thought: "I genuinely believed I just nicked him, that was it.
"I didn't understand the gravity of the situation, I didn't think what happened, happened."
The boy said while being arrested, he asked officers: "Is he all right?", saying it was a "big shock", and he was "worried about Josh", the court heard.
Colin Aylott KC, defending, asked the defendant who was responsible for Joshua's death.
He replied: "Myself, sir."
Asked if he was guilty of Joshua's murder, the defendant replied: "No, sir.
"I never intended to kill him, I never intended to seriously hurt him.
"I wish I could turn back time, not just for my sake but for Joshua's as well."
'impulsive moment'
Rossano Scamardella KC, prosecuting, asked the defendant why he carried a knife.
The boy said he viewed it as an "accessory" which he had bought online but "didn't look at it for what it actually was".
He added: "It was just a habit, I never produced it, I never hurt anybody."
Scamardella said that was "exactly" what he he had done on the day Joshua was stabbed.
The boy replied: "It was an impulsive moment, it was a tragic and reckless moment, but I didn't leave the house intending to use it."
The trial continues.
Additional reporting by PA Media
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