A MURDER suspect held out his hands and said "bring it on" to police officers when they handcuffed him, a court heard.

Carl Hodgkiss had told police he knew nothing about the death of Marc Jepson, his cousin's estranged husband, when they first interviewed him three days after the body was found.

But the next day, March 9, he was told that "the situation had changed" by officers telling him he was being arrested on suspicion of murder.

His partner Kirsty Openshaw and his young children were at his Elton Avenue, home in Farnworth, when police came to arrest him.

Hodgkiss first exclaimed "what" when police said they would arrest him.

Giving evidence at Manchester Crown Court, where Hodgkiss has denied murder, Det Con Andrew Jamieson said: "I said 'I'm going to have to handcuff you'. He said 'bring it on'."

He added: "I was trying to keep it low key because I was aware that his partner and young children were next door."

The previous day, Hodgkiss had told police he had been at the Rose and Crown pub for a birthday meal with his stepfather when his brother Craig rang him to tell him of Mr Jepson's death.

He said he had been to Mr Jepson's house to pick up some wood to repair a damaged gate on Sunday, March 2, and had not gone back since.

Hodgkiss, aged 28, has since admitted that he inflicted the injuries that killed Mr Jepson on the night of March 4, but claims he acted in self-defence.

Earlier statements from witnesses involved in the discovery of Mr Jepson's body were read to the court.

Kimberley Urmston, who lives three doors from Mr Jepson's house in Kildaire Street, Farnworth – the scene of the alleged murder – went into Mr Jepson's home after a neighbour told her he was lying on the floor.

She thought he was unconscious, but got no response.

His face was very cold and she said she was "very scared" when she could not find a pulse.

Hodgkiss, of Elton Avenue, denies murder, conspiracy to murder and conspiracy to commit GBH.

His aunt Irene Hodgkiss, aged 63, of Firwood Avenue, is accused of conspiracy to murder and conspiracy to commit GBH.

Her daughter Sandra Jepson had split up with Mr Jepson in 2011, which sparked a family dispute.

The trial continues.