Alleged Incident Over Noise Complaint
A pensioner is accused of suffocating his neighbour and recording his dying words following a dispute over noise, a court heard.
James Hughes, 67, was reportedly wearing a Dictaphone when he allegedly assaulted and then sat on Harold Turner, 68, in what the prosecution described as a "cold and calculated" killing on Christmas Day.
Caernarfon Court was informed on Monday that Hughes would bang on his wall with his walking stick, disturbing Turner’s sleep at the sheltered accommodation where both men lived in separate flats.
Hughes, from St Asaph, Denbighshire, denies charges of murder and manslaughter.
The confrontation on 25 December 2025 was said to have been triggered by Turner, a former Navy serviceman, who had complained about noise coming from Hughes’ flat.
On that day, Turner was preparing to move to alternative accommodation arranged by friends to help him get rest. Before leaving, he consumed alcohol and left a voicemail for Hughes stating he was "going to get" him.
The altercation occurred outside Hughes’ flat on the first floor of the Old Palace sheltered accommodation, resulting in Hughes ending up on top of Turner.
Audio Evidence Presented in Court
A Dictaphone worn by Hughes recorded audio of the incident, which was played to the jury.
In the three-minute recording, Turner, who suffered from heart disease, can be heard panting and pleading with Hughes to get off him, stating he could not breathe.
"Get off me, I can't breathe," Turner is heard saying.
Prosecutor John Hipkin told the court that Hughes admitted to police uncertainty about whether Turner was "faking it" when he lost consciousness.
The recording also captured sounds that Hipkin described as Hughes striking an unconscious Turner multiple times with his walking stick.
Hughes called for an ambulance 23 minutes after the incident, but medical efforts to revive Turner were unsuccessful.
Cause of Death and Post-Incident Statements
A post mortem examination determined Turner died from asphyxia, a condition caused by deprivation of oxygen, and sustained blunt force trauma to his face and head.
In a phone call to his nephew hours after the event, Hughes reportedly said:
"I think I may have killed someone."
Hughes told police that Turner had threatened him and "come out swinging punches."
Legal Representation and Defence
Gordon Cole, representing Hughes, stated that self-defence is central to his client’s case, as well as questioning whether Hughes intended to kill Turner or only to cause serious harm.
Family Statement and Trial Details
Turner’s family expressed their sorrow, stating he would be "sadly missed." They noted his service in the Navy after leaving school and his subsequent work in London, Ireland, and his hometown of Rhyl.
The trial, expected to last up to three weeks, is ongoing.
