Murder latest: Jury told about row over football

A witness described to a murder trial jury how a neighbour died in his flat after suddenly becoming the victim of violence after an argument started among fellow drinkers.
Ricky Walker was found dead at a flat in Princess StreetRicky Walker was found dead at a flat in Princess Street
Ricky Walker was found dead at a flat in Princess Street

Paramedics found Richard Walker, known as Ricky, dead on October 20 after they were called by a man to his second floor flat in Princess Street, Scarborough.

Two men are on trial accused of subjecting Mr Walker, 50, to a sustained and brutal assault during which he suffered 39 rib fractures, liver and kidney damage.

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Clifford Honeyman, 42, and Andrew Stevenson, 39, of no fixed addresses each deny the murder of Mr Walker and deny two charges of robbery on other drinkers on earlier dates.

A third man Stephen Atkinson, 55 of Oxcliff, denies two charges of robbery.

The witness said he and Mr Walker both had flats in the same building in Princess Street and both were regular drinkers.

On October 18 the witness met up with Honeyman and Stevenson and was drinking with them before they returned to his flat with him.

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The next day both of them returned and Mr Walker was with them. They were all drinking together when the atmosphere suddenly changed after “a row over football.”

The witness, who gave evidence from behind screens, told the jury that Stevenson then went over more than once and punched Mr Walker in the stomach. There were gaps between him doing that.

He told the jury Mr Walker went to the bathroom which was through the bedroom and both Honeyman and Stevenson also went through to the bedroom.

He then heard the sound of “thumping” in the bedroom and Mr Walker saying: “What’s going off. I thought we were mates.”

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When Mr Walker came back into the living room his eyes were puffed and he was bleeding from the mouth.

Mr Elvidge opening the prosecution case told the jury Honeyman, Stevenson and Mr Walker slept in the lounge at the flat that night.

The next day, after the others had left, the witness found Walker unresponsive and called for help.

The trial continues.