Murder trial hears gambler's apology

Reaben Kareem, 21, and Jwanru Osman, are accused of attacking Bradford University student Siu Tung Ho, known as Tony, in his home earlier this year.

Kareem, of no fixed address, and Osman, 20, of Northolt, Middlesex, both deny murdering Mr Ho, 19.

Kareem has pleaded guilty to three counts including conspiracy to rob and wounding with intent to cause grievous bodily harm to Tony Ho's sister, Siu Luen Ho, 22, and her boyfriend, Gavin Stolarczyk, 30.

Osman has admitted conspiracy to commit robbery but denies the other charges.

Kareem got to know Siu Luen Ho, known as Sally, through his girlfriend Hazan Hamid who had been her friend and lived at the house in Grantham Road, Great Horton, until they fell out.

He told the jury at Bradford Crown Court he had wanted to teach Sally and her boyfriend a lesson because of the problems Miss Hamid had suffered.

Kareem claimed that after initially tricking his way into the house he had left because he didn't want to go through with it.

But he said Osman told him he had come from London and was not going back empty-handed.

Kareem was let into the house again by Ms Ho. He admitted hitting her over the head with a vodka bottle when she later told him to leave.

When she started shouting for help he put his hand over her mouth and hit her a second time with the bottle. She was taken to another room where she was bound and gagged by Osman.

Her boyfriend was then persuaded to come downstairs. Kareem admitted stabbing him as they walked downstairs into the basement sitting room.

Kareem said: "I want to say I so sorry for what happened. I was out of my mind and wasn't thinking straight.'' The trial continues.