A man accused of murdering a 23-year-old saw his cousin killed after he was knifed multiple times in an attack which happened while he was growing up in Mozambique, a court heard.

Junior Suleimane, 22, is accused of the murder of Felizardo Jose Vieira-Balde following a chance encounter in St Peter's Road in Great Yarmouth in February 2023.

Police on the scene after fatal stabbing in Great YarmouthPolice on the scene after fatal stabbing in Great Yarmouth (Image: Newsquest) Norwich Crown Court was told he had pulled out a large knife to inflict fatal injuries with a single stab wound to the chest as revenge for an attack he had suffered a month earlier. 

Norwich Crown CourtNorwich Crown Court (Image: Peter Walsh, Newsquest) Giving evidence Suleimane told defence barrister Simon Spence KC he was born in Mozambique and lived there until he was 14 but left after he saw his cousin killed when he was "stabbed multiple times".

While living in Mozambique Suleimane had also seen "people dead" after "missiles started going all over the place" at a military base and there were "people blowing up everywhere".

The court heard Suleimane went to live with his mother in Yarmouth but as a youngster was "robbed multiple times" and was the subject of bullying.

Suleimane also told jurors he had been a passenger in a car in Manchester which crashed resulting in the death of another passenger in the vehicle in 2021.

Mr Spence asked Junior whether, as a result of what he had witnessed, he suffered from any mental health problems.

He said he had not previously thought so but now, having seen a psychologist, "started to realise I have".

When asked what effect these events had upon him as a young man, Suleimane said he was "mostly troubled".

Suleimane will continue giving evidence in his defence on Wednesday.

Police on the scene after a fatal stabbing in Great YarmouthPolice on the scene after a fatal stabbing in Great Yarmouth (Image: Newsquest) Earlier on Tuesday the court heard how Suleimane gave no comment when he was first interviewed by police on February 11 last year.

But when he was interviewed for a second time, he provided the following prepared statement.

It said: "I had no intention to kill Felizardo Jose Vieira-Balde on February 8 2023.

"Having been stabbed by him previously our paths crossed on that day.

"I accept I went towards him with a knife in my hand.

"He pushed me but I accept I made a jabbing motion towards him.

"I didn't know it caused him serious injury".

Suleimane, formerly of Market Place, Yarmouth, has gone on trial having denied murder.

The trial continues.