A TEENAGE boy was accused of lying to jurors after he told them “I might be the thief but I’m not the killer”.

The 16-year-old denies the manslaughter of Vilson Meshi, who died when a marine distress flare was thrown into his Audi A4 in Pincey Mead, Basildon, on February 27 last year.

Keani Hobbs, 18, of Stagden Cross, Pitsea, also denies the charge and the pair are on trial at Chelmsford Crown Court. Both also deny stealing six flares from a boat at Wat Tyler Marina a week before the incident.

The youth, who cannot be named for legal reasons, told the court Hobbs stole the flares and was responsible for throwing one into the car.

But Tony Badenoch, defending Hobbs, told the youth: “I’m going to suggest that you make things up as you go along.” He replied: “No.”

Mr Badenoch said: “I’m going to suggest that you were the accomplished thief in all of this.”

The boy replied: “I might be the thief but I’m not the killer.”

The youth admitted that CCTV footage showed him cycling around the area on his own, trying car door handles. He also admitted stealing Mr Meshi’s phone and car keys but claimed he did not notice him sleeping on the back seat. The court heard the boy has convictions for burglary and for riding a stolen motorbike.

Mr Badenoch added: “You are trying to blame someone else for something you did.” The boy said: “You are 100 per cent wrong.”

The youth admitted returning to the crime scene the next day, even though he previously said he had not.

Mr Badenoch said he changed his story because he was caught on CCTV wearing a blue North Face jacket that was seized by police.

Mr Badenoch then said: “The account you have been given to this jury about Keani is lies, isn’t it?” He replied: “No.”

Charles Matthew, prosecuting, then asked about the day the flares were stolen. He asked who cut the rope on the boat cover and whether a knife or scissors were used. The boy said he did not know and he did not see a knife.

The trial continues.