AN alleged killer was 'heroic' and tried to save the life of Christopher Lemonius as he was beaten to death in a Blackbird Leys garden, a court heard yesterday.

As the trial into the killing of the 27-year old on June 1 last year continued at Oxford Crown Court defence barristers took turns to quiz one of the men accused of the killing - Otman Lamzini, on his account from the witness box.

Mark George QC put to Lamzini that his recollection - if true, showed he had been brave in the face of 'extraordinary' danger.

He said: "If your account is right you are not only innocent of the crime you have been accused of, you have been completely misunderstood, haven't you?

"You were verging on heroic in your actions as to supporting your brother and Mr Lemonius. Fighting people off and pulling people off."

Lamzini replied: "I would not say I am a hero or try to be a hero but it is just natural to try and save your siblings."

On Monday Lamzini accepted he had thrown a few punches and kicks but that it was in defence of his brother. He repeated yesterday that he would not name the real killers.

The court also heard that after sustaining an injury earlier that night Lamzini went through the front door of the Jourdain Road home minutes before Mr Lemonius was killed in the back garden and alleyway.

Lamzini said that he had gone inside to treat his bleeding wound but had not alerted his parents - who were inside, to his presence.

Mr George put to Lamzini yesterday that he had only told jurors about sneaking in to explain how his blood had later been found on the kitchen door handle.

Mr George said to Lamzini: "The truth is you have to say you went into the kitchen don't you, because you have to explain the drop of blood on the inside of the door."

Lamzini replied: "No, because that could have been [there] not even from that night. I have cut myself doing dishes, from using knives a couple of times in that kitchen. I said I have gone into the kitchen because that is where I went."

Earlier this week another of the accused men - Carlos Spencer, declined to give evidence before the jury and did not take to the stand.

Instead his legal team read out character references which referred to him as a 'gentle giant' as well as a 'big cuddly bear'.

The trial continues.