A JURY will be asked to dismiss a murder charge over the killing of a bomb disposal expert.

Colin Gale is accused of murdering Mark Manning, from Lancing, but his defence team will ask the court to consider a manslaughter charge after claiming self-defence.

Gale, of Offington Lane, Worthing, said he killed Mr Manning when he came at him with an axe. Gale lashed out with a wrench to keep him back.

Jurors at Lewes Crown Court heard it happened at the garage Gale ran, P&B Car Sales, in Western Road, Worthing, on April 19, 2014.

Michael Bromley-Martin QC, the 40-year-old’s defence barrister, said: “It appears appropriate for a loss of control manslaughter legal direction to be given to the jury before their deliberations take place.”

Gale told the court how he hit 54-year-old Mr Manning over the head with a one-metre long industrial wrench three times.

He then dumped the body in the countryside the next day with 50-year-old Stewart Robertson, of St Aubyns Road, Portslade.

Mr Manning was killed during a dispute over £17,000 that Gale owed him for car sales at the garage.

Arguing he had acted in self defence, Gale said Mr Manning was raging and that he threatened him with an axe before he struck back with a wrench.

Duncan Atkinson QC, prosecuting, said: “Was there any reason why you did not state that you killed Mr Manning in self defence when you were taken into custody and read your rights?

“It seems awfully strange that you would not make this clear at the time.”

Gale told the jury he was “too busy with his own thoughts that day” and it did not cross his mind to do so.

The jury heard that Mr Manning’s body was dumped in an opening in a hedgerow at Hampshire Hill near Slaugham.

The 54-year-old from Lancing was missing for two years before his body was found after Robertson alerted police to the location of the body.

Gale denies murder but has admitted preventing lawful burial, claiming he only hit Mr Manning with a wrench more than once because he was “scared that Mark would come back” to get him.

The defendant told the jury he lied in his original statement and said he changed his team and statement once the police had found the body.

Robertson denies preventing lawful burial.

His defence declined the opportunity to give evidence in court.

All evidence has now been heard and the trial continues today.