A MAN on trial for the murder of Denis Witney has denied being a liar in Oxford Crown Court.

Wayne Cattell, 37, told Oxford Crown Court yesterday that he had been lying to friend and Big Issue seller Steven Trigg when he told him he was responsible for the assault which led to the homeless man’s death on November 9 last year.

He added that despite his history of crime, which includes convictions for burglary, shoplifting, possessing an imitation firearm and perverting the course of justice, he would never have carried out the beating that left Mr Witney with 26 separate injuries.

He said: “I know I have a disgusting record but nothing like this.”

He added: “I have nothing to do with it.”

But Simon Russell Flint, defence barrister for Daniel McCollin, the man Cattell alleges carried out the brutal attack, told him he was “someone who lies without any sense of shame or regret”.

He added: “It is never you Mr Cattell. You were lying and lying and lying to try and pull the wool over everyone’s eyes.”

In the witness box Cattell replied: “No, I’m telling the truth.”

Cattell, of Mortimer Road, Rose Hill, Daniel McCollin, 30, of Blay Close, Blackbird Leys, and Joanne Moriarty, 29, of Mortimer Road, Rose Hill, all deny Mr Witney’s murder.

The trial continues.