Sharif Demirsay murder case: Accused in area by 'coincidence'
An 18-year-old accused of the murder of a Bedfordshire grandfather has said it was just "coincidence" that he happened to be in the area, a jury has heard.
Travis Dixon-Charles is one of four teenagers accused of killing Sharif Demirsay, 65, at his bungalow in Kempston last May.
The teenager told Luton Crown Court he had been in the area as he was "just visiting friends".
Jane Bickerstaff QC, prosecuting, said that was "absolute rubbish".
The defendants, including Courtney Glynn, 19, and two youths aged 16 and 17, who cannot be named for legal reasons, are accused of killing Mr Demirsay in the hallway of his home during a raid looking for gold and money.
All four deny the murder of Turkish-born Mr Demirsay who died from a stab wound to the heart.
The prosecution told the court Mr Dixon-Charles was "the director of operations" in the robbery, "selecting the victim and recruiting those involved" and "acting as look-out on the night".
The 18-year-old denied this but admitted to knowing of plans for a "move".
The court was played CCTV which showed him walking by Mr Demirsay's home on six separate occasions on the day of the robbery.
He said he was "visiting friends" and that is why he was in the area just minutes before the murder.
Ms Bickerstaff said: "You were in charge. They were waiting for you to tell them when to do it."
He replied: "No."
She added: "You went and did the recce... and when you came back and said the coast was clear they went in and you stood at the vantage point."
"I disagree with you," he told the court.
The case continues.