A DUDLEY man who maintains he acted in self defence when he killed a man at a house in Halesowen is expected to stand trial in July.

Ian Swinburne, of Stourbridge Road, is charged with murdering David Carpenter in Graham Road.

He is also charged with assaulting Mitchell While in the same incident, on Sunday February 3.

The 49-year-old was remanded in custody until April 29 by Judge John Wait at Wolverhampton Crown Court when he is set to plead to both charges.

Mr Michael Davies defending, who has successfully applied for the lifting of reporting restrictions in the case, said Swinburne used a knife because he feared for his life after Mr Carpenter burst into the house where he was staying.

Mr Davies has claimed 49-year-old Mr Carpenter and another man had travelled from Wolverhampton to "sort out" Swimburne who acted in self defence an has made an appeal for anyone with knowledge of the incident to come forward.

The judge has been told the trial of Swinburne, who did not attend the hearing in Wolverhampton yesterday, is likely to begin in the week beginning July lst.