Weatherston carried knife for protection, court hears

Weatherston told the court Sophie Elliot accused him of trying to rape her. Photo / The Press, Pool

Clayton Weatherston says he had a knife with him the day he killed and mutilated his former girlfriend because of general concerns about his personal safety.

The former Otago University economics lecturer had the knife with him in his laptop computer bag when he went to the Dunedin home of Sophie Elliott, 22, and cut and stabbed her 216 times.

He told the High Court at Christchurch that he carried a knife "pretty much" always for protection and for cutting up food when he ate at the university.

Weatherston, 33, is giving evidence in the High Court at Christchurch where he is on trial for the murder of Miss Elliott, 22,on January 9 last year. Weatherston admits he is guilty of manslaughter, but says he was provoked by Miss Elliott, and lost control.

The day of the killing was also Weatherston's 32nd birthday. He told the court he had arranged to meet his mother that afternoon and get a gift from her, and had also planned karaoke and drinks, and possibly ten pin bowling, with friends that night.

He said he left his home for university that morning with gifts Miss Elliott had given him, in order to return them to her. He also accessed Sophie's Facebook page on the internet to see if she was online, and therefore at home.

Weatherston said he intended visiting Miss Elliott that day before meeting his mother. He wanted a friend to go with him, but the friend was not available.

When he drove from the university to Miss Elliott's home, Weatherston said he could not see her car at the house and thought she might not be there.

He walked up the driveway, carrying a plastic bag with the gifts in it, and his laptop bag over his shoulder. He said he took the laptop bag with him because he did not want to leave it in the car. A knife was in the front pocket of his laptop bag.

"I had carried it for some time around (university) campus. I was concerned about my personal safety," Weatherston said.

"I used it though for eating things in my office, but I would carry it from time to time just like a pocket knife."

Carrying it seemed like the thing to do given his concerns for his safety.

"I was concerned about being jumped - campus (security) can't be there all the time."

There were assaults on campus "all the time", and Weatherston said he would often walk through campus late at night.

"It's an ongoing concern around that area."

Walking down Miss Elliott's driveway, he said he had visions of knocking on the door, and no-one being there, and him leaving a note with the gifts.

He said he felt uncomfortable when he saw Miss Elliott's mother, Lesley Elliott, was at the home, because of how she would view him given allegations her daughter had made.