Preston murder accused ran as a Tory councillor in the city, jury told

Connor Rumble's defence lawyer Tim Storrie QC was reading a realm of 11 testimonials about him to the jury.

Adam Le Roi, 25, was stabbed multiple times last November after he and his friend Christopher Johnson visited Rumble's flat in Kayley House to complain about alleged anti-social behaviour.

He died of shock and haemorrhage due to stab wounds to the left shoulder penetrating the axillary and pulmonary arteries.

Rumble, 25, who lived on the first floor, accepts he killed him but denies his murder.

Dr James Morris, a senior archaeology lecturer at the University of Central Lancashire - and his former course leader - wrote: "The tragic events that lead me to write this letter are not representative of the person I knew."

He described him as a "good solid student" and said he "stood out".

Dr Morris said he was impressed by his calmness and that Rumble had been given opportunities because of the good character he had displayed.

Rumble's stepfather, former Royal Naval officer James Palmer, of Cramlington, Northumberland, said he "regularly and consistently goes out of his way to help others and contributes to his community" and that this led to him joining his local Conservative Association which nominated him to run as a counsellor in Northumberland while still a six form student.

Later the Preston Conservative Association nominated him to run as a counsellor in Preston for the city centre ward.

Mr Palmer described him as a beloved son, grandson, brother and boyfriend who had excelled at school and never been in trouble with the polcie.

He added: "Regardless of the circumstances that surround the tragedy...Connor will be struggling to come to terms with what happened.

"He has always been the perfect son to me, kind, considerate, helpful and a joy to be around.

"In all these years I've never seen him lose his temper. He can become downhearted but never angry."

Rumble's brother in law said he considered him to be an "academic and thoughtful young man who had always strived for excellence" and "would not consider him to be a violent or aggressive person."

He said he had always chosen to" resolve conflicts with humour and diplomacy".

Jurors also heard from his girlfriend of two and a half years, Charlotte Holden, from Preston, who said she "found him to be a very laid back and mellow person who prefers to avoid conflict."

She added: "He's a strong moral person, even to the point where on video games he resorted always to choose the 'good guy' options and if he ever accidentally chose the 'bad guy' option he would reload and start again."

Earlier jurors were told of a list of injuries to Rumble caused during the fracas including abrasions, scratches, bruising and reddening.

(proceeding)

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