A HOMELESS man accused of attempted murder cannot remember the lead up to the incident because he was on a cocktail of drugs, a court heard.

Paul Bruns took to the witness box at Basildon Crown Court to give evidence in his trial, claiming he “cannot remember” if drinking was involved in the drive to a house where a man was set on fire.

Bruns, 53, of York Road, Southend, and Ben Ince, 41, of no fixed address, deny attempted murder.

It’s alleged the duo stood by and watched as a man was set on fire with petrol in Southchurch Road, Southend by Jane Riley and Alan Archer, both already convicted of the charge.

The victim suffered burns to 60 per cent of his body.

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John Caudle, prosecuting, grilled Bruns about the lead up to the attack on the night of October 30, 2019.

Bruns and Ince were at Jane Riley’s flat before the four travelled to Southchurch Avenue where the man was attacked at around 1.30am, before the group left the scene.

Mr Caudle said: “The CCTV, whether you remember it or not, at 2am you were in that car with Riley and Ince. Were you drinking in the car? Was there alcohol in the car? None were found in the car were they?”

Bruns, who was homeless at the time, responded “I don’t know” and “I can’t remember” to all questions.

Mr Caudle continued: “What drugs were you taking, you said cocaine and heroin, when was your last dose, 8pm? You would have been in the flat then, meaning it was before you left in the car.

“Were you sleeping between 8pm until Riley takes you two out?”

Bruns said: “I don’t remember, I was drinking. I was having a shower.”

Judge Samantha Leigh, along with Mr Caudle, asked Bruns what effect the alcohol would have had on him during the night combined with the drugs.

Mr Caudle continued: “You had that last dose at 8pm. It was said you had cocaine as well.

“You explained that if you took heroin it makes you relaxed, what difference would cocaine make, and alcohol?”

Bruns said: “It just makes me go to sleep.”

The trial continues.