Murder accused will rely on truth for his defence

A GUERNSEYMAN accused of murder in the UK took to the witness stand yesterday to deny his involvement. Nigel Ogier, 27, who was brought up in the island but later moved to Surrey, claimed he had been framed for the brutal killing of former colleague Patrick Welch.

Mr Ogier, who is jointly accused with Peter Taylor, was calm and relaxed as he gave evidence.

Daniel Janner, defending Mr Ogier, said that his client had been framed by Mr Taylor, whom, he claimed, was responsible for the death with his brother, John.

Peter Taylor also denies murder.

Mr Ogier told Reading Crown Court that he did not murder Mr Welch.

He also denied assaulting him.

'His case is very straightforward. He was there on the night working the nightshift,' said Mr Janner.

'He did not see Mr Welch or Mr Taylor. He expected to see Mr Taylor but he never turned up, so we say that he had been framed by Peter and John Taylor.

'He had been used by Peter to shift the blame, a decoy for his murder of Patrick Welch.'

Mr Janner added that Mr Taylor had no defence.

'Nigel Ogier has one that will stand up to close examination before you because it is the truth.'

Mr Ogier said he met Mr Taylor and Mr Welch at the racecourse during Royal Ascot week in 2002.

Mr Ogier confirmed that he and Mr Welch got on very well.

'Once or twice a week, we would go out and have a beer.'

Mr Welch, 37, was stabbed almost 30 times in a frenzied attack in the kitchens at the racecourse last March and his body dumped in a shallow grave.

The jury previously heard that Mr Welch was lured to the kitchens on the pretext of stealing champagne but then was attacked with a six-inch kitchen knife.

The trial continues.