Norfolk murder accused had wanted to 'scare' victim

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 a 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 Court (Image: Peter Walsh, Newsquest) Giving evidence in his defence on Wednesday (July 31) Suleimane told Simon Spence KC he was stabbed in the leg by Mr Vieira-Balde in January 2023 when he had gone to visit his mum in her Yarmouth flat.

As he went to go up the stairs Suleimane said he was "charged" at by a man wearing a bandana.

Suleimane said he kicked him to the top half of his body but was stabbed in the leg as he did so.

He managed to pick up a wooden pallet from the back of a nearby shop to help defend himself from the man who tried to stab him "multiple times".

The man, who Suleimane later realised was Mr Vieira-Balde, said he had "wanted to teach me some respect" after he had "disrespected" him in front of his people.

Felizardo Jose Viera-Balde (Image: Supplied) Jurors were told that comment followed an incident in October 2022 when Suleimane, who had organised a party in Yarmouth, threw Mr Vieira-Balde and another man out after he caught them "having conflict" with each other.

He said Mr Vieira-Balde "didn't like it" and was angry suggesting that in evicting him Suleimane thought he was "better than everyone else".

Following the incident in January 2023, Suleimane said Mr Vieira-Balde went on to say he knew Suleimane's girlfriend was pregnant and knew he had a daughter.

He said Suleimane had "something to lose" while he himself had nothing to lose.

Police on the scene after a fatal stabbing in Great Yarmouth (Image: Newsquest) He said he felt "scared and frightened" by the threat which was followed up by Mr Vieira-Balde sending him a picture of a gun. 

Mr Spence said: "Did you take that as a threat?"

Suleimane answered "of course, yes".

The court heard following that incident, Suleimane got a friend to get him a knife that he wanted to look "scary".

He said he had carried the knife with him since February 4 last year when he went out for protection as he had "decided to get on with my life".

On February 8 last year Suleimane went to the Londis shop to buy cigarettes and as he left and got on his e-Scooter saw Mr Vieira-Balde.

He told Mr Spence he took out the knife from his bag as he had been "trying to cause fear to Mr Vieira-Balde".

Floral tributes left after a fatal stabbing in Great Yarmouth (Image: Newsquest) Mr Spence said: "Were you intending to use the knife?"

Suleimane replied: "No."

He said he expected Mr Vieira-Balde to "back away" but instead he put his hand in his pocket.

Suleimane said he "got scared" at seeing Mr Vieira-Balde take his hands out of his pockets and "expected him to be armed".

Mr Spence asked whether Suleimane had deliberately stabbed Mr Vieira-Balde.

He said: "No."

He said it was an "instant reaction" and he "didn't really think about it".

Suleimane said at the time he was thinking about what had happened previously. 

Mr Spence said: "Did you intend with that knife to cause him really serious harm, or to kill him?"

Suleimane said: "No."

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

The trial continues.