Witness took blade from alleged killer

A WITNESS in a murder trial described the moment he took a large blade from an alleged killer.

Liam Maloney said he drove Nathan Jones and friends away from the New Found Out pub in Totterdown and was aware there had been some kind of incident inside. He said Nathan asked to stop in Leinster Avenue, Knowle West, and got out. Moments later he found Nathan injured on the ground, and a man with a weapon 10 yards away.

Mr Maloney told the jury the man handed over a large blade.

It is claimed Kerr Somers and Nathan had a fight at the pub before Somers lay in wait for Nathan in Leinster Avenue and stabbed him in the back. Somers, 29, of Bloomfield Road in Brislington, denies murder on January 12.

Mr Maloney said he was unaware of trouble at the New Found Out. He admitted driving from the pub with Matthew Stanbridge in the front and Nathan and Samantha Flook in the back. He said they were heading to his nan’s home, via St John’s Lane and Redcatch Road. He told police he thought Nathan was going along with Mr Stanbridge and Miss Flook, until Nathan asked to stop.

The court was told Nathan got out and went into Leinster Avenue, followed by Mr Stanbridge and Miss Flook. Mr Maloney said he then heard screaming and he went around the corner and saw Nathan on the ground, with Mr Stanbridge standing over him and Miss Flook screaming in the road. He told the jury, ten yards from them there was also a person with a weapon. Mr Maloney told police he took a heavy, long blade from the person and placed it on a wall. He advised the man to “just f-ing go”.

Mr Maloney denied driving Nathan to Leinster Avenue so he could attack Somers, and denied giving a weapon to Nathan.

Witness Matthew Stanbridge told police he, Samantha Flook and Liam Maloney went to the pub and he was surprised to see Nathan, whose girlfriend Katie was “absolutely blotto”. He said Somers turned up and he sent Katie home, the court heard. Later, all of a sudden, there was a commotion in the pub and Somers left.

Mr Stanbridge offered Nathan a lift, and in Leinster Avenue Nathan asked to stop and got out. When Mr Stanbridge followed he saw Nathan on the pavement and Somers nearby, who said: “Next time I’ll cut your f-ing head off.”

With that, Mr Stanbridge said he straddled Nathan and put pressure against a wound Nathan had suffered before police arrived.

Mr Stanbridge recalled warning Nathan to watch himself in case something happened.

The case continues.