A BEWSEY dad accused of murder has told the jury about what appear to be teardrop tattoos underneath his eye.

James Ireland, 41, is charged with the murder of Billy Moore on Yardley Avenue, Bewsey, on December 22.

Ireland, of Lodge Lane, denies the charge but accepts he killed Mr Moore as he was acting in ‘lawful self-defence’.

Today, Tuesday, the fourth day of the trial took place.

In this morning’s hearing, Ireland was asked by his barrister Stan Reiz about some of his tattoos – including two small ones underneath his eye that appear to be teardrops.

Ireland told jurors that they are a tribute to his auntie, who died around two years ago, and girlfriend who died of cancer around 15 years ago.

Day four of Ireland’s trial also heard him give evidence about the incident on December 22, 2022, which saw Mr Moore stabbed multiple times.

READ MORE > Live updates on fourth day of James Ireland trial

He said before that night, he had met Mr Moore twice before. He said he didn’t know him well enough to consider him a friend but that he had no issues with him.

The court heard about Ireland’s journey to Yardley Avenue after being told by his daughter and young cousin that a man had tried to grab them.

Ireland said he ‘felt merry’ and had been drinking beer and had taken diazepam.

He said he felt ‘a bit upset’ after hearing what the girls had told him.

Ireland told jurors that when Mr Moore opened the door, he asked his daughter and cousin if that was the man that had approached them.

From here, Ireland said Mr Moore ‘threw a punch’ at him. He said this ‘dazed him’.

It was heard how Mr Moore then put his hands around Ireland’s neck and was ‘choking’ him.

Mr Reiz asked Ireland how he felt at this point. He said: “I was scared, I was fearing for me life.”

Ireland said that while Mr Moore’s hands were around his neck, he saw the handle of a knife in his waistline so went to grab it.

He was asked why he did this to which he responded: “I used it to get him off me.

“I was waving my arms about everywhere to get him off.”

Jurors were told how Ireland saw the knife make contact with Mr Moore.

Ireland said that when he left the address, Mr Moore ‘looked okay’.

It was heard how that evening and in the early hours of December 23, Ireland ‘walked about the fields’ in Bewsey and that he was ‘petrified of being arrested’ because of ‘what had gone on’.

Ireland was also asked about a number of text messages he sent and received that night, including one to his daughter that said ‘see you in 20 years’.

When asked why he sent this text message, Ireland said: “I don’t know, I can’t remember.”

The trial continues.