A MAN, accused of murdering John Collins, threatened to attack Mr Collins’ son after fatally injuring the Brockholes dad, a court heard.
Accused Douglas Stephen, also known as ‘Scouser’, told Mr Collins his son would receive a worse beating after he was released from prison, a jury at Bradford Crown Court was told yesterday.
Mr Collins, 55, died from massive head injuries inflicted outside his home on Oakes Avenue, Brockholes, last July.
Stephen, originally from Liverpool, and Christopher Burton, of Oakes Avenue, both 29, have admitted Mr Collins’ manslaughter, but deny his murder.
Neighbour Liam Mawhinney told the court he had seen Stephen stand above Mr Collins as he lay dying and threaten to give his son a worse beating.
Mr Mawhinney, who saw the attack from his bedroom window, said: “The Scouse guy came back. He said something to Mr Collins, who was on the floor, about his son...
“He said when his son comes out of prison, he’s going to get it far worse.”
Mr Mawhinney added he had seen Burton kick Mr Collins in the groin and head while he was on the floor.
Defending Stephen, Richard Mansell QC asked Mr Mawhinney if his memory of the incident was muddled.
Mr Mawhinney admitted the threat may have come from Burton.
The court also heard from Mr Mawhinney’s mother, Linda Mawhinney.
Ms Mawhinney told the court she had confronted Stephen after seeing Mr Collins lying fatally injured in the street.
She said: “I went outside and said: ‘What are you doing?’
“He said: ‘I’m a Scouser.’
“I looked over the fence, saw John (Collins) and I said: ‘What are you doing? That’s my neighbour.’
“He said: ‘Tell that to his son.’”
She added she had seen Stephen leaning over Mr Collins and shouting at him from her front room.
But under cross-examination Ms Mawhinney said she had not seen any of the actual attack.
Ms Mawhinney said she had been alerted by her son, Liam, who came rushing downstairs asking her to call an ambulance.
Proceeding.
