THE jury in the trial of a self-confessed drug addict accused of fatally stabbing a widower is yet to reach a verdict.

After around 15 hours of deliberation, the 12 men and women are yet to decide whether 42-year-old David Dempsey stabbed Steven Butterworth at his Leigh home on August 25 last year.

Dempsey, of Kermishaw Nook, Astley, admitted that he knew Mr Butterworth and had met him on three occasions, the last time being about five days before the stabbing.

He pleaded not guilty to murder prompting the trial at Liverpool Crown Court which began on April 22.

Mr Butterworth, aged 62, was stabbed at his Diamond Street home and died in hospital from his injuries just over one month later on September 27.