Couple accused of murdering teenager in joint attack in club
19-YEAR-OLD DIED IN THE EARLY HOURS OF CHRISTMAS MORNING
Court Reporter A TEENAGER was allegedly murdered by a couple in a joint attack while out celebrating in a social club on Christmas Eve, a court heard.
Prosecutors claim Brian Cahill plunged a knife deep into stranger Owen Kerry’s stomach during an alleged attack with his then-girlfriend Lyndsey Harper.
A court heard 19-yearold Owen was out in Cramlington, Northumberland, when he was allegedly stabbed and he died in the early hours of Christmas morning.
Efforts to save him did not succeed due to the gravity of the wound, which penetrated his aorta and damaged his spine after the knife was pushed in “up to the hilt and beyond the length of the blade”, jurors were told.
Prosecutors say after fleeing the scene, Cahill allegedly told a neighbour: “I’ve done something properly naughty” and was sniggering and laughing as he told how he “stuck him”.
After being remanded in custody Harper is said to have been laughing as she told a prison officer she was accused of murder and allegedly said: “It was both of us really but I’m saying it was him. We stabbed him. I’m pleading not guilty though.’”
Cahill and Harper deny murder and their trial at Newcastle Crown Court started on Monday.
The court heard the then-couple had allegedly caused problems at The Green pub, in Cramlington, earlier that night and around 9.30pm they left and went to Cramlington Working Men’s Club.
Andrew Robertson QC, prosecuting, said: “Once there, we submit Harper was completely out of control. She began by dancing in the most stupid fashion, throwing her arms about and kicking her legs around.
“She became aggressive, she hit one young man on the back of the head and the side of the jaw.
“A woman asked Harper what she was doing, at which she punched her.
“The two women began fighting and Harper picked up a glass and swung it at her.
“Her boyfriend, Cahill, then came over and pushed a woman into a table.”
The court heard Owen and his friend went over to Harper around this time.
Mr Robertson said: “Harper was still fighting mad and tried to hit Owen on the back of the head with a glass. She missed but quickly tried to hit him again.”
Another man grabbed Harper’s arm and pulled her away and she went “sprawling on the ground”.
Mr Robertson said Cahill then went face to face with Owen’s friend and said “I will get with yous”.
The prosecutor added: “It seems it was about then or shortly thereafter that Cahill stabbed Owen Kerry in the stomach.”
Mr Robertson said the knife went in up to the hilt and beyond the length of the blade and upwards so it went through the aorta and damaged the spine.
Owen was seen running to the bar where he told people he had been stabbed. Mr Robertson said: “He then collapsed.
“A number of people tried to help, including a student nurse.”
Police and an ambulance were called, along with Owen’s dad, Keith. Mr Robertson said: “Owen’s father arrived and tried to comfort his son, who was initially able to speak.
“He was asked who had done it and Owen replied ‘I don’t know, never seen him before.’”
The prosecutor told jurors: “Sadly, given the gravity of the stab wound, Owen’s condition quickly deteriorated.
“In the ambulance his heart stopped and he stopped breathing. Attempts were made to resuscitate him at hospi-