Accident as teen led to drink and drug addiction
FAMILY OF ALLEGED MURDER VICTIM TELL OF TRAGEDY OF LIFE MISUSED
THE tragic life of an alleged murder victim has been laid out by his mother during a trial.
Michael McNee, 40, was found dead in the bedroom of his flat in Chestnut Court, off Leicester Road, Mountsorrel, on May 22.
His friend Benjamin Bracegirdle, 41, denies murdering him while staying there during the lockdown.
Michael’s mother, Julia, said a car accident on a pedestrian crossing in Birstall had left him with serious injuries when he was 18.
He became addicted to the opiate painkillers he was prescribed in hospital, later resulting in a heroin addiction.
Mrs McNee’s statement to the police following the death of her son was read out to the jury at Leicester Crown Court by a barrister.
She said Michael was awarded £50,000 compensation following the accident – but within a year the money had “gone on drugs”.
He was later asked to leave the family home because of behaviour including stealing to sell for drugs.
He also became an alcoholic and would often ask her for money.
In his later years, Michael went on to a Methadone programme.
At the end of last year, he suffered liver and kidney failure but “amazingly, he pulled through,” she said.
She last spoke to her son three weeks before his death, when he rang to thank her for buying him a television set.
Mrs McNee said: “Michael had a number of friends, mainly alcoholics, that he would often take in.”
She said she was aware of her son’s long-time friendship with the defendant, whom she claimed had a “big drinking problem”.
She said: “Ben would help him and clean up after him. But he wasn’t his official carer.
“I understand they had arguments every now and then. Michael was worried his friends would steal his money and his stash.”
Mrs McNee said Michael was “a very bright young man – it’s tragic that he misused his life”.
Michael’s brother, Richard, said Michael was “best friends” with Bracegirdle and the two would “fall out and make up again.”
Richard McNee said he saw Michael five or six weeks before his death and noticed he had two black eyes.
He claimed Michael told him that Bracegirdle had head-butted him during an argument.
Earlier in the trial, neighbours in
Chestnut Court described hearing screaming and shouting from Michael’s flat the night before he died.
They claimed loud arguments were not unusual between Michael and the defendant.
The court heard that Bracegirdle, formerly of Loughborough, was staying with Michael to help look after him during the lockdown.
Prosecutor, James House QC, claims Bracegirdle fatally struck Michael with either an implement or his feet, with shoes on.
He alleges Michael died from internal bleeding caused by a blow towards the left side of his back.
Bracegirdle, when interviewed, denied using any physical violence and claimed Michael may have injured himself in a drunken fall.
The trial continues.