Captain ‘wanted to kill three birds with one stone’

The Costa Concordia cruise ship captain has admitted he was showing off and wanted to ‘kill three birds with one stone” as he gave evidence in court for the first time about the 2012 shipwreck off an Italian island that killed 32 people.

Francesco Schettino said he brought the liner close to shore as a treat to passengers and as a favour to a crew member.

He denied taking the route near Giglio island to impress a Moldovan dancer he had brought to the bridge. The woman has testified the two were lovers.