Timeline of events

Afternoon of July 7, 2018 Christopher ‘CJ’ Hall spends the afternoon watching England defeat Sweden 2-0 in their World Cup encounter, socialising with friends.

Tom Bryan’s movements earlier that day Bryan was at the Lansdown pub in Lansdown Road, also drinking and watching the match. He said he had drunk ‘a lot’ of Kopparberg and Southern Comfort drinks, as well as recreationally taking three to four 10mg valium tablets.

The evening: CJ Hall enters the Frog and Fiddle on the lower High Street The court heard doorman Mr Rickard said CJ Hall was stood up “having an argument with two gentlemen sat down at the table”. He went over to investigate after Lauren Bryan, the sister of Tom Bryan, had complained about him. The bouncer said he reasoned with Mr Hall and they headed towards the front of the pub.

CCTV footage and argument Footage of Mr Rickard and CJ Hall outside the pub was shown to the jury The witness told how Lauren Bryan was also outside and was arguing with him. He said Miss Bryan was swearing and mentioned Mr Hall allegedly burgling her house. Mr Rickard said he heard the woman threaten Mr Hall along the lines of: “You don’t want to be here when Tom gets here.” At 10.17pm on July 7, Lauren was seen on CCTV “pointing” at CJ.

Tom Bryan and Michael Saunders arrive at the scene Bryan said he received a phone call and told the court he went to the lower High Street with Saunders. “I thought my sister was being attacked by CJ,” said Bryan. The pair had been drinking at Bryan’s house with two girls, but left in a hurry.

The chase and initial punch Bryan said he did not rush to see if his sister was alright because he “just wanted to hit CJ”. The pair were seen on CCTV running from a vehicle after Mr Hall at 10.18pm. Bryan said Saunders ran up to Mr Hall and punched him. With their faces covered, they chased the victim to an alleyway.

Suspects flee Bryan and Saunders ran away from the murder scene. Bryan told the jury he climbed over a wall on Chapel Street and after that point, disposed of a grey hoodie he was wearing.

They return to the flat before heading into town Bryan and Saunders arrived back at the former’s flat and continued drinking with girls. They headed into town. At 3.25am at the Under the Prom nightclub, Saunders was seen slapping a man on the face and ejected by security staff. Bryan was captured on CCTV trying to break up the disturbance.

July 9: Bryan arrested Bryan was arrested on July 9 at a hotel room in Cathedral Road, Cardiff. Police seized £2,073.05 in cash, a piece of paper with names and numbers on it, Bryan’s passport and driving licence. He and Saunders were charged with CJ Hall’s murder.