A man who killed another man after a botched robbery was cleared of murder today (Tuesday) at Croydon Crown Court.

Samuel Quamina, 49, was accused of murdering 24-year-old Norbury man Perry Nelson Jr and injuring another after a botched robbery at his Peckham home.

He was cleared of three charges including murder, manslaughter and actual bodily harm.

According to Mr Quamina's police statement, on September 10 last year at about 8pm, three men entered his house, armed with a hand gun and a steering lock.

Mr Quamina contended throughout the whole trial he had acted in self-defence and was taped breaking down in police interview when he was shown a picture of the dead man.

He said the day the attack happened he had been reading the bible while smoking a “spliff” when a friend came around to borrow a CD.

As that man left, three armed men burst into the second story flat, including Mr Nelson.

The court heard that Mr Quamina, terrified for his life, pulled some speaker boxes off the the wall next to the door which smashed down on his attackers, disarming them.

He then walked into the kitchen, selected two knives and went back into the hallway.

Mr Quamina then said the men lunged at him, trying to steal the gold chains and rings he was wearing.

He told police he slashed and stabbed at the men, fatally injuring Mr Nelson and injuring another man in the back.

The fight, which lasted no more than 30 seconds, claimed the life of Mr Nelson, who fled the house and was taken to King’s College Hospital.