A man accused of murder has made a dramatic apology from the witness box.

Reaben Kareem said from the witness box at Bradford Crown Court: “I want to say I am so sorry about what happened. I was out of my mind and I was not thinking straight.”

Kareem, 21, is on trial accused of murdering Bradford University student Tony Ho during a brutal robbery at his home in Grantham Road, Great Horton, Bradford.

He and co-accused Jwanru Osman, 20, deny the allegation.

Both men admit conspiracy to rob Mr Ho, 19, his sister, Sally, and her boyfriend, Gavin Stolarczyk.

Kareem pleads guilty to wounding Miss Ho, 22, and Mr Stolarczyk, 30, with intent to cause them grievous bodily harm.

The Crown’s case is that Kareem, of Walsall, and Osman, of Northolt, tortured and murdered Mr Ho, a chemistry and forensic science student, during the robbery on January 22.

Mr Ho was stabbed 13 times and his throat slashed.

Kareem told the jury yesterday his gambling problem had eaten up most of his wages. He said he took money from his father’s bank account to fund his addiction.

Kareem said his girlfriend, Bradford University student Hazan Hamid, shared the Grantham Road house but moved out after arguments with Sally.

Kareem said he decided to get back at Sally and Gavin after they upset Hazan.

“I wanted to make them listen, teach them a lesson,” he said. “I was so stupid. Everything was boiling in my head.”

He said he told Osman, he had “a problem with some people.”

Osman said he would help to tie them up for £10,000.

On the day of the killing, Kareem took a small kitchen knife and two rolls of parcel tape to the students’ house. He said Osman had a wheel brace.

“My heart was racing and I was shaking because I did not really want to go ahead with it,” he said.

He said pharmacy student Sally let him into the house and he opened the door for Osman. Kareem said he hit Sally on the head with a vodka bottle while Osman hid in the cellar.

He said he struck her again after she shouted for help, smashing the bottle.

“I saw her head bleeding and thought: “My god, what have I done?” Kareem said. He said both men bound her to a chair in the cellar.

Kareem said he took a knife from the kitchen and followed law student Mr Stolarczyk down the stairs into the basement.

He said Gavin turned suddenly to face him, the knife went into his side and he fell to the floor.

“I said ‘I’m sorry, I did not mean to do that’,” Kareem told the court.

He said he told Osman to bind the wound.

The trial continues.