Man accused of murder ‘tried to escape from police van on his way to hospital’
COURT HEARS HE STRUGGLED VIOLENTLY AND SECURITY STAFF HAD TO HELP RESTRAIN HIM
ONE of the men accused of murdering drug user Jason Clark tried to escape from a police van on his way to hospital - and boasted that he could pay a “crackhead” to kill a policeman.
He struggled violently and hospital security staff had to help police restrain him after he tried to run off, Hull Crown Court heard.
He also bragged that he would “blow you all up” at the hospital, it was claimed.
Patrick William Clayton, 54, and his son, Patrick Sean Clayton, 26, of Beech Close, Hull, deny murdering Jason Clark on March 9.
Mr Clark, 40, was found covered with blood and with serious injuries on the landing outside their first-floor flat in Beech Close, near Coltman Street.
He was later pronounced dead by ambulance crews.
The pair, known as “Big Paddy” and “Little Paddy”, are said to have dragged his body head-first out of their flat.
The cause of death was multiple stab wounds to the chest, abdomen and left shoulder.
Mr Clark had been stabbed at least 15 times, with 17 wounds, including to the back and chest.
PC Gareth Bielby claimed in court that Patrick Sean Clayton tried to escape when he was taken by police to Hull Royal Infirmary for treatment to an injury.
“He tried to escape our custody,” claimed PC Bielby.
Clayton allegedly started moving his arms and legs around to loosen the police grip as the van door opened.
He allegedly shouted: “F***ing get off me” and was taken to the ground.
PC Bielby told him: “Stay down, stop resisting.”
Security staff from the hospital helped and they all regained control of Clayton, he claimed.
Clayton was handcuffed behind him to make it safer and to make it harder for him if he did escape.
He tried to headbutt the officer in the hospital but the blow did not connect, claimed PC Bielby.
Clayton allegedly told the officer: “I can pay a f***ing crackhead 50 stones to write you off.”
PC James Philby told the court that Patrick Sean Clayton allegedly told him that he would “get his mates to blitz me” and hurt his children.
He allegedly claimed that he had “loads of money and would pay his mates to kill me”.
While at the hospital, he allegedly told staff and others: “I’ll blow you all up.”
Clayton was treated for his injury and allowed to leave hospital to be returned to the police station.
The court heard that Patrick William Clayton told police after the body of Jason Clark was found: “I haven’t done nowt.”
He was “shouting and arguing” with police and said: “I have not done f*** all. I came in about 25 minutes ago. I don’t know what’s going on.”
He was very aggressive with his physical actions and manner of speaking, the court hears.
He was “shouting a large percentage of the time”.
Clayton and his son were arrested and police had Tasers with them at the time.
The father complained that the handcuffs were too tight and he became aggressive.
PC David Brewin said in a statement that Patrick Sean Clayton was aggressive and had to be restrained.
PC Billy Knapp said in a statement “Throughout this time, Clayton was making threats to harm me.”
He was restrained on the floor but, after five minutes, he calmed down and was allowed back off the floor.
Clayton allegedly said: “He tried attacking my dad, yeah?
“I stabbed Jace Clark to death last night, mate.
“The guy came at me with a f***ing knife. No, but listen, he came at me with a knife. Selfdefence, innit?”
The case continues.