A MAN accused of murdering his flatmate claimed the victim pulled a knife on him after he rejected his sexual advances, a court was told.

Rakar Rahimi, 23, said Bako Azad Sheikha threatened to kill him during a dispute in their flat in Haven Road, Colchester.

Chelmsford Crown Court heard the friends had taken cocaine together before the row on the night of September 11 last year.

Hours later, Bako was found fatally injured in nearby Distillery Lane having suffered a stab wound to the heart.

Gazette: Fatally injured - Bako Azad SheikhaFatally injured - Bako Azad Sheikha (Image: Newsquest)

Rahimi, of Wellington Street, Ipswich, denies murdering his friend but admits carrying a knife with him as he was driven to the country track by Bako.

Neighbours were awoken by sounds of “erratic” driving and screams for help before CCTV captured Bako’s Nissan Qashqai being driven away at about 2am on September 12.

Rahimi was cross-examined by Christine Agnew, defending, today.

He said in the late hours of September 11 Bako drove him from work back to their flat where they both took cocaine.

Gazette: Cordon - police officers guard Distillery LaneCordon - police officers guard Distillery Lane (Image: Newsquest)

Rahimi told the jury Bako got “upset” about having something on his back and asked for reassurance that there was nothing there.

“About five minutes later I noticed a change in his behaviour and then he said: ‘Let’s go and have sex’," said Rahimi.

“As soon as I said no he took a knife and said: ‘If you don’t have sex with me then I will hit you, attack you, kill you.”

Rahimi, who admitted to having had sexual relations with another man before, alleged Bako had made the same suggestion one week prior but had his advances rejected.

Gazette: Investigation - forensic officers probe Distillery LaneInvestigation - forensic officers probe Distillery Lane (Image: Newsquest)

The defendant told jurors he then armed himself with a knife for protection and filmed his friend at knifepoint as “evidence” to support him.

Rahimi, still armed, then told Bako he wanted to sleep at the barbershop he worked at and asked him for a lift.

The pair then drove along Haven Road before turning into Distillery Lane, with the reason why set to be heard in court today.

  • The trial continues