A TEENAGE boy claimed he was being forced to deal drugs in the lead up to a man being fatally stabbed, a court heard.

The trial into four people, including two boys aged 16 and 17 , charged with the murder of Lee Chapman continues at Basildon Crown Court.

Mr Chapman, 26, died in hospital in the early hours of March 7 this year, after being stabbed shortly before midnight the day before on Cromer Road, Southend.

The two teenagers, who cannot be named for legal reasons, along with Sarah Wahid, 45, of High Road, Grays, Tyrell Thompson, 24, of Kingston Road, London, deny his murder.

Yesterday, the court heard evidence from Detective Constable Robert Lewis, who was one of the officers that interviewed the 16-year-old boy following his arrest in relation to the matter in March.

Representing, Wahid, Sarah Forshaw QC suggested to Mr Lewis that the boy had created a defence that he was being controlled by Wahid in a drugs operation after what he had discussed with officers during the police interview.

Ms Forshaw said: “When you interview with a suspect it’s important to interview with an open mind to what’s going on. You do not go into an interview with a case theory with a young suspect in case he seizes an it and uses it as a defence.

“They [younger people] are more susceptible to be moved by a police officer in certain decisions.”

Mr Lewis replied that it “depends on the individual”

Ms Forshaw continued: “It’s a difficult, but I am asking you to think back to what you decided in your head before interviewing [the boy] in March. Did you think because she [Wahid] was older and drove a nice car she was in some managerial position to [the boy]?”

Mr Lewis replied: “I would have thought there was a possibility of that but I would have kept my mind open. I am reflecting that I can’t recall what were my thoughts at the time.”

Ms Forshaw said: “Do you think you might have suggested that he could only be involved in running drugs at his tender age if he felt threatened, that someone was making him do it? Did you suggest that’s what the police believed was going on?”

Mr Lewis replied: “I would have asked him about that and gave him the opportunity to come forward.”

The trial continues.