Vernon Simons admitted to a jury he has a criminal past but denied this made him a violent man.

Under cross examination from Sousa's lawyer Charles Richardson at Supreme Court yesterday, Simons, 24, admitted he was convicted in March 2007 of robbing a man of his wallet and cash to a value of $395.

"It was theft with violence, wasn't it?" inquired Mr. Richardson.

"Yeah, OK, but it was self defence, if you want to know," replied Simons.

"It was self-defence by taking his wallet? He attacked you with his wallet?" responded Mr. Richardson in an incredulous tone.

Simons stuck to his point, but went on to further admit that he has two previous convictions for possession of cannabis.

"Personal use, that's not a crime," he told Mr. Richardson.