A man accused of murder has denied he “battered a man to death”.

Stephen Lowe, 42, told St Albans Crown Court today he “did not kill” Andrew Boag, following an “altercation” between the two men in Garsmouth Way, Watford, on Friday, July 25, 2008.

Last Friday while giving evidence, Lowe told the court he knocked Mr Boag “sparko” because he feared he would be stabbed.

And under cross-examination from prosecutor Anne Evans today, Lowe told the court he did not accept his actions led to Mr Boag's death.

Ms Evans told the jury Lowe shared a number of character traits with Mr Boag, such as using the same drugs, being verbally abusive, and convictions for carrying offensive weapons in public places.

Lowe, however, said: “My character is nothing like Andy Boag's.”

He added: “I have a reputation of being a gentle giant, not of being a violent person who carries a knife. I would rather do good than bad.”

The court heard the two men, who had previously seen “eye to eye”, fell out when Lowe encouraged Teri Leighton to report Mr Boag to the police after Mr Boag, 35, assaulted her.

Ms Evans asked why he would offer this advice, but then not report Mr Boag himself when he began to be threatened and called a “grass”.

Lowe told the court: “It was no good telling police he was threatening me because they wouldn't have done anything about it.”

Ms Evans told the court: “This was a situation that clearly needed to be resolved. You were both local Watford boys, you couldn't carry on like this could you.

“You knew sooner or later you were going to bump into him.

“I'm not suggesting that this was anything other than a chance meeting (in Garsmouth Way on Friday, July 25). But you were bound to meet him sooner or later. He is in a relationship with Kai's (your son's) mother (Stacey Brennan). You knew there was a chance you were going to bump into Andrew Boag.”

Asked why he didn't get back into the white transit van he arrived in when he realised Mr Boag was at the scene, Lowe said: “I wasn't turning my back on Andy. He attacked me and we got into an altercation. To me all I had to do is disarm him. If I knock him unconscious there's no threat to me.”

Lowe also told the court he didn't put on the knuckle-duster that was in his back trouser pocket, until Mr Boag had him in a headlock inside the Mercedes taxi parked in Garsmouth Way.

He said: “I didn't put it on before I got into the fight. It wasn't until I was in the car in a headlock that I put the knuckle-duster on while we were still scuffling.”

Ms Evans, however, told the court: “I dispute he ever had you in a headlock. You have heard independent witnesses who don't know you or Andrew Boag. You heard that first witness saw you approach a white man and you hit him.

“I suggest to you, you put the knuckle-duster on as you approached your target Andrew Boag and there was no headlock.

“You did mean to kill him.”

Lowe replied: “He died but when I left him he was still breathing. I don't know how he died.”

Ms Evans then reminded the court that Lowe's barrister, Ann Cotcher, QC, did not cross-examine pathologist Dr Simon Poole when he stated Mr Boag died from head injuries.

Ms Evans said: “You must agree that you killed him.”

Lowe told the court: “I didn't kill Andy. Andy died but I did not kill him. When I left him he was still breathing. I didn't kill him.”

Stephen Lowe, of Breakspeare Close, Watford, has pleaded not guilty to murder. He has also pleaded not guilty to an alternative count of manslaughter.

The trial continues.