Exclusive:Alan Wotton: Trial begins into Gosport pensioner accused of murdering Andrew Avery

A pensioner murdered his nephew after stabbing him multiple times in his home, a court has been told.

Alan Wotton, 83 of Exmouth Road, Gosport, is in the dock for the alleged killing of Andrew Avery, 65, with one count of murder and one alternative count of manslaughter. He denies the charges.

Mr Avery died after being seriously assaulted at his home in Exmouth Road on November 29, 2024, suffering a total of 11 stab wounds.

Remanded in custody, Wotton appeared at Portsmouth Crown Court today (Tuesday, August 18) as the trial began, sitting dock wearing a pale polo shirt and glasses, and requiring a hearing loop to follow court proceedings.

Jodie Mittell KC, prosecuting, told the jury that Mr Avery was Wotton’s nephew, and murdered him because of a family dispute - before setting the property on fire.

She said: “I make it plain - Wotton is guilty of murder. He killed his nephew, Andrew Avery, and there is in fact no dispute that he killed him. He accepts he caused Mr Avery’s death, but we understand that his argument is one of self-defence.

“We submit that he had no need to defend himself at all - he was the aggressor and attacker. He armed himself with a large kitchen knife and stabbed his nephew repeatedly.”

Wotton returned to the UK from Hungary when his sister, June, died in 2023, Ms Mittell added. The defendant attended the funeral but remained in the country, staying in his late sister’s home in Exmouth Road while the estate was being managed by Mr Avery and his family.

The house was eventually sold, and on November 29, 2024, Wotton was meant to be moving to a nearby flat - a move which had been arranged by Mr Avery.

Ms Mittell said: “Andrew Avery was managing the house sale, and it was with his permission that Wotton was allowed to stay at his late sister’s house.

“His nephew made considerable arrangements that would allow his uncle to move into a flat in Stoke Road. The motive, therefore, appears to be a reluctance on Wotton’s part to leave his sister’s address, and being aggrieved with the financial transactions associated with the move.

“That is demonstrated most clearly by his actions after stabbing his nephew. That is because he set fire to the house afterwards.”

A recording of a phone call was played in court of a member of the public phoning the fire service shortly after 5pm. Wotton was found sat and “shaking” in the garden, and the man who phoned 999 said: “He [Wotton] said there might be someone in the house, but we can’t get in because there’s so much smoke.”

Addressing the jury, Judge Michael Bowes KC said: “You are the judges of the facts, and you decide the facts, not me.

“You must focus exculsively on the evidence. What’s required of you is a cool, calm and dispassionate view of all of the evidence in this case.”

(Proceeding)