With Friends Like These Dept.

From Ananova 10.11.01

Man, 33, kills best friend in train set row

The man, named in court only as Uwe T, said: "We had planned the model railway for three years. I did everything myself but he did nothing at all.

"Then he broke off the project and came to pick up his share of the railway. When he packed up my favourite train, I lost it.

"I suppose that was when I started stabbing him."

Police traced the killing to Uwe's flat after spotting a broad trail of blood which had dripped from the window from where the body was thrown.

The court heard that Uwe had led a lonely life until making friends with his victim, named only as Pierre R. The carpenter, who lived nearby, was obsessed by trains and motorbikes.

Uwe has admitted stabbing the younger man 13 times with a steak knife before cutting off his victim's testicles and throwing the body out the window.

He is facing at least five years in prison if convicted of manslaughter. His legal team is arguing for a shorter sentence because he was drunk. A verdict is expected on Friday.