A murder suspect found covered in blood after he fatally stabbed a man told a police officer: "I was assaulted."

Sean Morrin, 33, made the comment when the arresting police constable asked him for an explanation of why he was covered in blood, when he was found about an hour after William Richardson was stabbed.

Mr Richardson, 34, died in Carlisle's Cumberland Infirmary on August 9 last year, the day after he was stabbed seven times in Senhouse Street, Maryport.

As prosecuting AC Andrew Thomas closed his case this morning at Carlisle Crown Court he read aloud a series of agreed facts.

They included a reference to an occasion when detectives were questioning Morrin at Workington Police station about the events around Mr Richardson's stabbing.

"Part way through the interview," said Mr Thomas, "he became upset.

"Asked why he was crying, he said it was because two young boys had lost their father. Asked whether he was responsible for that, he replied: "No comment.'"

The jury earlier heard from the Cumbria Police dog handler who found Morrin an hour after the fatal stabbing.

PC Jonathan Mann described how his dog Dash led him to a grassy embankment near Irish Street, where the defendant was crouched down on all fours.

"He was crouched down like a crab," said the officer, confirming that Morrin had blood on his hands and trousers.

The trial has heard that Morrin, of Nelson Street, Maryport, but formerly of Carlisle, will admit to stabbing Mr Richardson but he will claim that he acted in self-defence.

The defendant is due to give his version of what happened on the night of August 8 last year later today.

The trial continues.