Kieran Williams murder: Evidence of one of accused Sunderland killers

Louis Hackett was giving evidence at Newcastle Crown Court for the first time in the trial of himself and Ben Cook, who both deny the murder of Kieran Williams, on the evening of April 18, Easter Monday, last year.

The prosecution alleges the pair persuaded the victim to meet them in a secluded, tree-lined area on former industrial land, on the south bank of the River Wear, near to the new Northern Spire Bridge, in Sunderland, supposedly to smoke cannabis.

It was said to be there that the accused pair stabbed Mr Williams to death and buried him in a makeshift, partly pre-dug grave, before attempting to set light to the body.

Read more: Trial starts of Sunderland pair accused of murder of Kieran Williams

The trial jury has heard it was to be almost six weeks after Mr Williams was last seen and reported missing before the burial site was discovered by a police dog handler, following a tip-off from the public.

Following forensic examination of the burial site, Mr Williams’ partially decomposed body was uncovered in the deep grave and a subsequent dental matched confirmed his identity.

Both accused men were spoken to, initially as part of a missing person inquiry and then, following their arrest on suspicion of kidnap and later murder, they each repeatedly told police they had nothing to do with Mr Williams’ disappearance.

But, after a forensic archaeologist uncovered fingerprints matching with Mr Hackett from clods of earth found in the grave, he gave police a prepared statement, blaming his co-accused for Mr Williams’ death.

Although he accepted being present when he said Mr Cook repeatedly stabbed Mr Williams to death, he claimed that fearing he, too, would be attacked, he agreed to help his co-accused bury the victim in the grave, and then said nothing, as per his instructions from his alleged accomplice.

In his examination-in-chief, by his counsel, Toby Hedworth KC, Mr Hackett said Mr Cook told him to bring Mr Williams to what was to be the burial site, that evening.

When they arrived, Mr Hackett said Mr Cook was already present and he seemed, “drowsy, just full of tablets”, with saliva coming from his mouth and his eyes apparently blood-shot.

Read more: Pathologist gives evidence in trial of Sunderland murder accused duo

Mr Hackett said Mr Cook began arguing with Mr Williams over money he had expected to receive from a third party who had previously attacked him.

He said the money, supposedly £5,000, was intended to prevent Mr Williams making a statement to police about that earlier attack.

Mr Hackett said Mr Cook then pulled out a knife with which he used to repeatedly stab Mr Williams in the chest.

He said the victim tried to run away, but collapsed, and Mr Cook then began to stab him in the neck and to the side of the body.

Mr Hackett said he had not expected any violence to occur and was “in shock” as he had not seen Mr Cook react in that way previously.

He said Mr Cook then told him to dig the grave to a deeper level with a shovel and spade that were alongside the burial site.

Mr Hackett said he felt he, “had to do it”, as Mr Cook was still holding the knife and he feared he would be joining Mr Williams if he did not go along with the command.

On finishing digging the grave to a deeper level he said Mr Cook told him to help place Mr Williams’ body in it, before his co-accused squirted petrol over it and tried to set it alight.

He said he was told to go home and change his clothing before meeting Mr Cook back at his house, where he showed him Mr Williams’ phone, snapping it in two and throwing it down a nearby drain.

Mr Hackett said he was told to keep making contact with Mr Williams’ phone, to give the appearance nothing suspicious had taken place, then he was told to say no more about it, other than to blame “other people” for their friend’s disappearance, if asked.

Asked why he went along with Mr Cook’s instructions, he told Mr Hedworth that if he did not, “I would have put my family in danger.”

Read next:

               Alleged Sunderland murder victim's burial site was 'clandestine grave'

               Phone evidence outlined to trial jury over death of Sunderland teen

               Accused duo were at scene of alleged Sunderland murder, jury told

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Mr Hackett will remain on the witness stand to respond to cross-examination questions by prosecution counsel, David Lamb KC, tomorrow (Friday January 27).

Twenty-year-old Mr Hackett, of Fordfield Road, and Mr Cook, 19, of Fordenbridge Square, both Ford Estate, Sunderland, each deny murder.

Proceeding.