A JURY considering whether to convict a man of murder has been sent home for second night by a judge.

After hearing evidence in the trial of Ross Ashcroft, accused of stabbing aspiring musician, 23-year-old Carlton Alexander to death in Bolton in December, the jury at Manchester Crown Court retired to consider their verdict at Monday lunchtime.

The jury spent Monday afternoon and all of today discussing the case before the judge, Mrs Justice Thirlwall, sent them home.

They will resume their deliberations at 10.30am tomorrow morning.

Ashcroft, aged 31, of no fixed address, denies murdering Mr Alexander following an altercation in Brightmeadow Close, Breightmet, in the early hours of December 12, claiming he acted in self-defence.

The court heard how Mr Alexander became angry after turning up at his girlfriend, Keshia Seaton’s home and finding four men, including Ashcroft, there.