“I’M NOT a murderer’ - that’s what murder accused Jason Howells told a detective soon after his arrest, a court heard.

Howells, 35, and his girlfriend Nicola Bishop, 25, are on trial at Chester Crown Court accused of murdering Fynn Western-Davey at their Balmoral Park home in Chester on January 23. Both deny the charge.

Detective Constable Mike Beamish of Cheshire Police told the jury what Howells said to him as he closed the door to cell 10.

“ ‘He said I’m a lot of things but I’m not a murderer. He attacked my girlfriend in our house’,” said DC Beamish.

The court also heard from Detective Constable Tina Jackson who dealt with defendant Bishop in police custody who had episodes of extreme upset.

In read evidence, DC Jackson said: “She continued to repeat herself saying she shouldn’t be in custody as she had not done anything.”

DC Jackson said she made references to her partner ‘Jay’ and during one episode of upset said she had seen “them together” and then she “saw blood”. She insisted her partner was only trying to protect her and she had tried to help by contacting police and ambulance services.

At one point she collapsed on the floor.

The jury also heard how Howells manage to secrete cocaine, cannabis and the prescription drug Subutex in his back passage but this was discovered by police when the defendant was seen acting furtively in his cell.

A sample of Howells’ blood was taken at the police station and examined by forensic expert Marcus Donohue.

He found cocaine and the breakdown product of cocaine at levels which indicated he may have taken “multiple doses” prior to the incident. There were also traces of cannabis and pharmaceutical drugs.

The expert said the ingestion of cocaine could lead to paranoia and increased aggression while the ‘coming down’ effects include agitation and anxiety.

Mr Donohue also examined the deceased’s blood which contained traces of cannabis. With cannabis it is not possible to tell when the drug was taken as it stays on the system for up to several weeks.

The trial continues.