A 41-year-old accused of murdering a man following a row over drugs has shown his guilt by admissions he made to a former partner just minutes after the killing, jurors have been told.

Theodore Lynch is on trial for murder after getting into an argument with Leslie Smith at his flat in Suffolk Square, Norwich, during which Mr Smith was fatally stabbed.

Norwich Evening News: Police at Suffolk Square, NorwichPolice at Suffolk Square, Norwich (Image: Newsquest)Norwich Crown Court has heard Lynch had gone to Mr Smith's flat on October 5, 2021, to give him money to buy drugs.

Norwich Evening News: Norwich Crown CourtNorwich Crown Court (Image: Peter Walsh, Newsquest)But after the victim returned without any drugs or money the pair became involved in a fatal row.

Mr Smith's body was not discovered until almost two weeks later but Stephen Rose KC, prosecuting, said admissions made by Lynch to a former partner point towards his guilt.

Delivering the prosecution closing speech to the jury on Monday (April 29), Mr Rose said it was just 30 minutes after the fatal row when Lynch arrived at her home.

He said the woman - who cannot be identified for legal reasons - gave evidence during the trial to say she could "smell blood" on Lynch who was "agitated".

He said she asked what had happened and Lynch responded "people were mugging me off" before telling her "I pushed something into someone's neck".

Norwich Evening News: Suffolk Square, NorwichSuffolk Square, Norwich (Image: Peter Walsh, Newsquest)Mr Rose said the woman, whose evidence could be pinpointed to October 5, 2021, because of a text she sent to Lynch's sister, came to court to give evidence despite the defendant hoping she would not.

Mr Rose said: "Once you heard those words that I'm sure you remember 'I pushed something into his neck' it clearly amounts to an admission to stabbing Leslie Smith."

He told jurors the fact Lynch never mentioned to his ex anything about it being an accident - as he now maintains - or that he did not remember doing it, was also key.

Mr Rose said Lynch's actions "point towards a guilty man, panicking and trying to conceal the evidence and getting out of there as quickly as possible".

Norwich Evening News: Suffolk Square, NorwichSuffolk Square, Norwich (Image: Peter Walsh, Newsquest)The jury of eight women and three men were told Lynch had told a "series of persistent lies" to try and "minimise his responsibility".

But Mr Rose insisted when he stabbed Mr Smith "he did so intending to kill him or cause him really serious harm".

Lynch, of no fixed address, has admitted manslaughter but denies murder.

The trial continues.