in somebody's defence

And in central defence he can offer a lot more.

He is able to play in right, left and central defence.

He played some games in defence but usually at full forward.

He had nothing further to say in his own defence.

He did not even take the stand in his own defence.

"Have you anything else to present to the court in your defence?"

In his defence, he must have been about 12 years old.

On this subject he wrote to the king in his own defence.

At least that was what he said in his own defence.

And there was nothing she could say in her own defence.