Ashley Lear gives evidence in Southampton manslaughter trial

Ashley Lear, 36, is on trial following an altercation that occurred near his home on the Northam Estate in Southampton on May 14, 2024.

Lear is accused of assaulting Fuzel Miah, causing a bleed on the brain from which the 44-year-old later died.

Giving evidence at Southampton Crown Court, Lear said he was suffering from addiction issues at the time.

"I was heavily addicted to crack cocaine, heroine, valium - more or less anything I could get my hands on. I borrowed money off anyone who would lend it to me."

Ashley Lear is accused of manslaughter following an incident on the Northam Estate in May 2024 (Image: Newsquest)

Mr Miah was one of the people to whom Lear was in debt, the court heard.

The defendant said they became involved in an argument over money after encountering each other outside a block of flats where Lear had gone to buy drugs.

"I didn't really care how much I owed him - all I wanted to do was score.

"He grabbed hold of my arm as if to stop me moving forward and we ended up face-to-face. He said we had to sort it - we couldn't just leave it as it was."

READ MORE: Ashley Lear on trial over death of Fuzel Miah in Southampton on May 14 2024

Lear said he turned around and started to walk away.

"I heard someone shouting 'bang him out, bang him out'. Miah was right behind me and I felt threatened because of our altercation and because of what I'd just heard."

Ashley Lear is accused of manslaughter following an incident on the Northam Estate in May 2024 (Image: Newsquest)

Lear said he threw two punches at Mr Miah, one of which connected.

He added: "I didn't have any intention to cause him serious harm - I just wanted him to leave me alone. If I was the aggressor, it would have been me following Miah, not Miah following me."

Moments later, the court heard, Lear kicked the other man in the torso. He fell backwards and never got up again.

After returning to his flat, the defendant drank vodka as well as taking crack, heroin, and valium. He also changed his clothes before fleeing the building. "It was pure panic," he said.

When Lear was arrested, bank cards belonging to Mr Miah were found in his possession.

Lear said: "I saw a wallet on the ground near Arundel House. I remember picking up two bank cards. All I could think about was buying more drugs. I didn't even know whose cards they were." The defendant said he was now "completely clean".

Lear, of Kent Street, Southampton, denies manslaughter and the trial continues.