Paul Hughes, Croydon alleged murder: Terence Jackson pleads not guilty

A man accused of running down his elderly neighbour and leaving him for dead in a stoush over washing claims he was mentally impaired at the time.

A man charged over a suburban Sydney stoush which left his neighbour lying dead in the driveway has pleaded not guilty to murder and plans to fight for his freedom in the Supreme Court.

Terence Edward Jackson, 41, has officially denied murdering Paul Hughes in Croydon last year in a spat over washing that turned deadly.

Jackson, appearing from prison on audiovisual link, told Burwood Local Court on Wednesday he plans to mount a mental health defence, arguing he was mentally impaired at the time he is accused of running down Mr Hughes.

Paul Hughes, 77, died after being found near his home in Croydon. Picture: 9News

Police allege the pair got into an altercation about 7.30pm on Bay St, Croydon over their washing line.

It’s then alleged Croydon drove his car into 77-year-old Mr Hughes, struck and deliberately ran over him.

Police arrived on the scene and found Mr Hughes, who not long after died of his injuries.

Bay St, Croydon. Picture: Google

In court, Jackson said that he would argue he had mental health issues when he is alleged to have killed Mr Hughes last March.

Police allege after the crash, Jackson had driven 5km to a property in Lilyfield where detectives located the car with damage to its front end.

Jackson’s case will next be heard in the Supreme Court in July where he will learn the date of his trial after Magistrate Alison Viney committed his case.

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