A MURDER suspect wept in a court dock as he stood accused of killing his 'cousin'.

Anthony Wheaton appeared at Reading Crown Court charged with murdering 'Gypsy' Gee Smith, a man who was "like family" to him, at his home in November last year.

Jurors were told the pair became embroiled in a fight after Wheaton, who denies the charge, had accidentally hit Mr Smith's niece.

Prosecutors also said Wheaton claims Mr Smith, 29, ran into a knife he was holding in order to defend himself.

Speaking during the first day of the trial on Monday, May 21, Miranda Moore said: “The defendant said he armed himself with a knife for protection, and Mr Smith ran onto it while punching him."

Ms Moore told jurors that the pair clashed at Mr Smith's home after Wheaton accidentally elbowed one the 29-year-old's niece in the face.

CCTV footage shwn to the jury claimed there was just 36 seconds between Wheaton arriving, the incident occurring and the defendant escaping in a Range Rover.

Ms Moore said: “The two were like family, in that sense they were sort of cousins.

"They had been out drinking at a pub in Wokingham on the night of the incident, but were asked to leave after a mutual friend leaned over the bar to pour himself a pint.

"Leaving separately, the defendant went back to his home on Dart Close only to find that his partner and children were over at Mr Smith's partner's home, so he went over there with a friend.

"According to the witness, he (Wheaton), was in the house demanding that his partner come home.

"He grabbed her on the arm, at which point a scuffle ensued."

It is alleged that Wheaton struck a child during the first brawl, causing Mr Smith to confront him.

The jury was shown images from inside Dart Close, where the body was found, including images of Mr Smith's blood-soaked jogging shorts.

The public gallery was packed with members of Mr Smith's family and friends, some wearing t-shirts with his face on saying "Rest in peace my baby boy".

Wheaton denies a single charge of murder.

The trial, before Judge Angela Morris, is set to continue for two weeks.