Murder trial told accused unaware of robbery bid
A MAN accused of murdering a drug dealer claims he had been “used” by his co-defendants having been unaware of a plan to rob his “good friend”.
Conlan Dunnion, 23, has been charged with the murder of Shafiul Islam who was found unconscious at his Newport flat on November 14, 2019. He died six days later in hospital.
The defendant and his two co-defendants Euan Peters, 42, and Perrie Dunwell, 33, deny murdering Mr Islam. Peters has admitted a charge of conspiracy to commit robbery which is also denied by his two co-defendants.
A trial at Newport Crown Court has heard Peters allegedly attacked Mr Islam with a Kopparberg cider bottle by hitting him to the head, causing him a “devastating brain injury”, while Dunnion is accused of letting Peters into the flat in Tewkesbury Walk and Dunwell of driving the defendants away from the scene having earlier dropped Peters at the location.
Yesterday Dunnion told the jury he played no part in Mr Islam’s death and had no knowledge of a plan to rob and murder him. He claimed a fourth man was involved but did not know him.
Questioning her client, barrister Caroline Rees QC asked Dunnion about his relationship with Mr Islam, known as Chilly, and the defendant described them as “good friends” and said he had known him for three or four months.
He described himself as also being good friends with Perrie Dunwell, having known him for two months.
When asked if he knew Mr Peters, Dunnion said: “No, I’d never seen him in my life.”
On November 14, 2019, Dunnion met up with Dunwell at around 5pm and after an hour or so, he met up with Mr Islam who briefly spoke to Dunwell.
Dunnion said: “[Dunwell] said [Mr Islam] owed him money. He seemed fine, nothing I was concerned about. He spoke to Chilly.
“I asked [Mr Islam] if it was about the money and he said: ‘Yeah, he’ll grab it when he picks you up.’ There was nothing that alarmed me or caused me to think.”
Dunnion travelled to Port Talbot with Mr Islam and others in a Volkswagen Polo. They returned to Newport and went to Mr Islam’s flat but when Dunnion recharged his phone he saw he had texts and missed calls from Dunwell.
Ms Rees said: “Were there any texts about Chilly having drugs or money or any plan to rob Chilly?” Dunnion said: “Not at all.”
When asked why he called Dunwell back the defendant replied: “To get picked up. He said he was on his way.”
Ms Rees said: “Did he suggest he was bringing anyone else to Chilly’s flat?” Dunnion said: “Not at all.
Upon leaving the flat the defendant left through the communal door. “I opened the door and there were two large males there. One of them was Peters.”
Ms Rees said: “What about the other man?” Dunnion said: “No, I don’t know him.
“I was frozen with shock and thrown out of the way because I wouldn’t move. I was grabbed and pulled. I was confused and scared.
“I went to the main road where Perrie had dropped me off and I saw Perrie. I went to tell him what had happened and he said: ‘It’s fine, they’re getting my money.’ He was fine so I didn’t question him.
“[The two men] came back to the car, five minutes. I didn’t see any weapons at all.”
Ms Rees said: “Was there any conversation between them about Chilly or whether any violence had been used against Chilly?” Dunnion said: “No.”
He claimed it wasn’t until the next day that he found out Mr Islam had been seriously injured.
He said: “[Dunwell’s] friend Mikey told me that [Mr Islam] was in intensive care. I was sad and worried.
“I made a phone call to my mum. I had two or three vodka and lemonades. I was worried, confused, sad, if the worst would happen to him. If he would die.”
Ms Rees said: “Why did you ring your mum?”
Dunnion said: “I was worried. Just to explain what had happened, why I was worried, and why I felt sad. I remember blaming myself and saying it would look like I set it up and it was my fault.”
Dunnion was also asked about why he lied in his police interview about walking back home from Mr Islam’s flat when he was driven by Dunwell.
He said: “Quite bluntly people get killed for talking in police interviews. I didn’t want to put my safety or my family’s safety at risk”.
The trial continues.