A NEIGHBOUR has recalled how he tried in vain to save his friend’s life from a machete wound to his throat - while his killer stood across the road smoking.

Guy Hamilton stumbled across the road to the front door of Callum Stuart after suffering the injury in his flat in Meetings View, Barrow on April 30 last year.

When Mr Stuart reached the door, Mr Hamilton, 35, had one hand pressed against the centre of his throat and another outstretched, holding a mobile phone on a call to 999.

Mr Stuart told a jury at Preston Crown Court how he took instructions from emergency services while his friend’s condition deteriorated.

He said: “Guy was starting to drift in and out of consciousness. I was trying to calm him and keep him talking as best as I could, that's what the operator was telling me to do.

“He seemed frightened. He was trying but he couldn't speak at all.

“He moved towards my front garden wall but I was scared he was going to fall.”

As he lowered the victim to the pavement in front of his home, he spotted a figure outside Mr Hamilton’s doorway, cigarette in hand.

“Guy looked over to his flat so I did too. I saw a person by the door in an orange Adidas jacket smoking a cigarette,” the witness added.

“Then he walked down the steps and went towards Angle Meadow Lane.”

The evidence came on the second day of the trial of Damien Lee Hill, 45, accused of murdering his friend following a day of drinking and drug-taking.

Hill, of Sowerby Avenue, Barrow denies murder.

In cross examination Siobhan Grey QC, defending, said that there is no dispute the person stood outside the victim’s flat was Hill.

The defence argues that Hill had consumed so much alcohol and other substance that he is unable to recall much of the incident.

While admitting he caused the injury, Hill maintains he did not intend to cause his friend serious injury or death.

The trial continues.