[Mrluvaluva]

A man who claims he was terrified and defending his home in the middle of the night could be charged with murder after he stabbed the neighbour who was trying to get into his house.

Edwin Pitkin, from Enfield, north London, was woken in the early hours of Saturday by the sound of 32-year-old Mark Woods apparently trying to force his way into the house.

Mr Pitkin is understood to have thought it was a burglar, so he picked up a knife and went downstairs, wearing just his underwear, while his wife dialled 999 from their bedroom.

In the ensuing moments, Mr Woods, a forklift truck driver, was stabbed and has since died.

Mr Woods had recently moved into a flat four doors away and might have been trying to enter the Pitkins' house, believing it was his own.

It is thought he had been drinking heavily in a nearby pub.

Neighbours have described Mr Pitkin as a quiet and friendly man, who lives for his children - Samantha, 27 and Leon, 25.

Friends of Mark Woods have spoken of his history of drunken violence and said that he also used drugs.

Should Mr Pitkin be charged and subsequently tried with the murder of Mark Woods, it would not be the first time a jury has deliberated over a plea of self-defence to murder.

Norfolk farmer Tony Martin has served three years in prison for manslaughter after shooting a 16-year-old boy, who had broken into his property.

And shopkeeper Tony Singh had charges of murder against him dropped by police after he killed a robber with a knife.

Under British law, there are specific guidelines for assaulting someone or causing death in self-defence.

It advises that "individuals, serving in good faith to defend themselves, their family, their property, or in the prevention of crime are not prosecuted for such action".

The Homicide and Serious Crime Command are investigating the circumstances surrounding Mr Woods' death and Mr Pitkin is due to return to a London police station later this month.


Source


So what do you think? Should he be charged with murder? Or should he get off as he was defending himself and his home?