A 23-year-old accused of plotting to kill his parents told police he did nothing to protect them.

This was because Ian Ayres feared being attacked himself. Ayres denies attempting to murder his parents Robert, 56, and Vivienne, 55, at their home in East Preston, near Worthing.

The assault was carried out by his friend Neil Campbell, who has already admitted the hammer attack at Lewes Crown Court. At Ayres' trial yesterday, the jury heard a transcript of an interview he gave to police hours after the incident on April 30 last year.

He claimed he was a victim himself and said Campbell hit him over the head with the meat hammer as they sat in a car near his parents' home. Campbell, 23, told Ayres he intended to kill his parents as part of a plan with Ian's brother Neil to get the family money.

Ayres told police: "I am thinking this is an option to stay alive. I am thinking how to get out of this situation. If I run, he will come after me and he's a big bloke." The pair then drove to the family's home in Sea Lane and Campbell told Ayres to carry in the carrier bag containing the hammer.

Ayres said: "I thought if I did not take it in he would hurt me even more."

Once inside, Campbell attacked the couple with the meat hammer while Ayres watched from the bathroom.

Ayres said: "I am shocked because he's trying to kill them, and I am not in a position to do anything about it. He's got a mallet in his hand and he could kill me. That would solve his problem because he did not kill me the first time."

It was only after Campbell had attacked both parents that Ayres left the bathroom to call the emergency services. He also made a phone call to his brother Neil, believing him to be part of Campbell's plot. Ayres rang Neil's mobile and told him "You're going down".

The court also heard Ayres claim that his brother Neil, 25, had often talked about the family's money with Campbell. Ayres told police Campbell had joked on several occasions about killing Ayres' parents and taking their money.

Ayres said: "It was with a smile on his face. He said, 'If you give me some money I will kill them for you'. I took it in jest and tried to change the conversation."

Ayres said Campbell had even brought the matter up on the afternoon before the attack. He said: "I did not think he was going to do it. I thought it was in jest. But he was obviously serious. I only realised this after he hit me. I could see it in his eyes. They were killer's eyes.

He added: "The thought was in my head. If he was going to kill my parents he could kill me as well." The trial continues.

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