Jordan Janukowicz, 20, is accused of killing his flatmate Mr Newman – whom he met through religious group The Jesus Army – after a drinking session at their Furness Court flat last August.
PC Philip Walker, first to arrive at the scene, told Preston Crown Court how Janukowicz, who had alerted emergency services, had answered the door wearing only black combat pants and socks soaked in what appeared to be blood.
PC Walker said Janukowicz, who denies murder, told him: "I have been putting pressure on his head to stop the bleeding."
Paramedic Geoffrey Hanriding, who arrived at the house at 7.45am, described the scene where Mr Newman's body was found.
His statement read: "He had sustained serious head injuries and a leather belt had been pulled tight around his throat. He had no cardiac output."
After the paramedic said Mr Newman was dead, PC Walker arrested Janukowicz for murder. He replied: "Murder? He's not dead, is he?"
(Proceeding)