CHRISTOPHER Toomey could find out today if he has been found guilty of murdering Jonathan Green at a flat in Lydney.

The jury at Bristol Crown Court could reach a verdict today after the week-long trial.

Toomey, 25, has pleaded not guilty to murdering Mr Green, 30, at a flat in Manor Road, Lydney but admitted manslaughter.

The court heard that the two men and their girlfriends had spent most of the day drinking and smoking at Heidi Dawson's flat when a row broke out.

The court was told Toomey reached for a carving knife after Jonathan Green pushed his girlfriend Shannon Procter to the floor.

During the trial the court heard claims that Toomey had been left traumatised by the "brutal and sadistic" abuse he suffered at the hands of his mother's previous partner, Anthony Bachelor.

His mother Katherine and sister Samantha told the court that Bachelor would beat them and lock them in a dark cellar in their underwear.

Toomey told the jury he originally tried to escape the row by going into the kitchen but his girlfriend hitting the floor took him back to his childhood and he reacted when Jonathan came towards him.

But yesterday prosecutor Christopher Quinlan told the court: "What Mr Toomey did that night, was not a result of his childhood, he was a young man spoiling for a fight.

"He claims he forgot the knife was in his hand, not once but 13 times. It was a complete lie.

"He says that he would rather die than go to prison.

"He didn't have a shred of remorse because he had done what he intended to do."

Simon Burns defending said his client was suffering from post-traumatic stress disorder.

He said: "What happened on Saturday November 7 was an horrific end to a man's life.

"What is not an issue is that Christopher Toomey stabbed Jonathan Green.

"What is an issue is his state of mind at the critical moment.

"His feelings were a combination of anxiety, fear, anger and panic.

"He was overwhelmed by the situation and not able to think rationally."

He said: "This was a case of manslaughter through provocation or diminished responsibility."