Newton Aycliffe murder accused tells court he had 'turned a corner'

Nathan Robbie Buckland, from Newton Aycliffe, is accused of the murder of 31-year-old Iain Lee, who died on September 19 last year, 11 days after being rendered unconscious in a bus stop outside a pub in the town.

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It is alleged Mr Buckland punched Mr Lee a short distance from The Roundhouse pub, in Newton Aycliffe, where both men had been socialising that night.

Mr Buckland, who denies the charge, returned to the witness stand at Newcastle Crown Court to continue giving evidence yesterday.

The 25-year-old, of Lumley Close, denies punching Mr Lee in the early hours of Saturday, September 8.

During his evidence on Tuesday, Mr Buckland said he had “turned a corner” after it was revealed he had a number of prior convictions, including one for burglary in 2015 and two for drink driving.

He said: “I understand I have previous and I’m not ashamed of that. I mean I am ashamed but I’ve turned a corner myself.”

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When probed further by his lawyer, Robert Woodcock, QC, he added: “I was young and immature. I didn’t really care for much or have much direction.

“In 2018 I had a lot of things that had given me a kick up the backside. I knew where I was going. I’d found a profession I loved.”

The Roundhouse pub in Newton Aycliffe

On Monday, the court heard Mr Buckland was working as a project manager at a construction company at the time of the incident.

Toby Hedworth, QC, prosecuting accused Mr Buckland of losing his temper with Mr Lee.

He added: “You decided he had stepped over a line and he was going to be punished for it?”

Mr Buckland said: “Not at all.”

Mr Hedworth asked The Roundhouse manager Kelly Blackburn to return to court to give more evidence.

• Newton Aycliffe man died after being 'felled with single punch'

She was asked about the sale of non alcoholic beer at the pub and whether she was aware of a “two for £5” offer, which Mr Buckland had claimed he had been taking advantage of.

Mr Buckland told the court he had drunk three bottles of dark fruit cider and had then started drinking non-alcoholic beer as he was driving the next day.

Ms Blackburn said she had no knowledge of the offer.

She was also asked whether she had had a conversation with Mr Buckland during which he warned her that there was trouble brewing, which he also claimed.

She replied. “Not that I can recall.”

The trial continues.