Aycliffe man killed over dog row in Blakes pub, jury hears

Richard Smith-Slater was caught on CCTV lashing out at his 61-year-old alleged victim as he was leaving the County Durham pub last summer before knocking him unconscious when he tried to stop him leaving the scene.

The 33-year-old was originally facing a charge of wounding arising from the incident in Blake’s Bar, on Beveridge Way, in Newton Aycliffe, at about 7pm on Saturday, July 8, 2023.

Craig Gill was taken to James Cook University Hospital, in Middlesbrough, in critical condition and his death was confirmed there five days later. Slater-Smith was then charged with murder.

Craig Gill (Image: Durham Constabulary)

Jurors at Teesside Crown Court watched the footage of the short-lived violence at the start of the defendant’s murder trial.

Nick Dry, prosecuting, said the defendant will claim that he acted in self defence but he told the jury that the CCTV footage shows a completely different story and said Mr Gill was murdered as a result of the row.

The jury heard how there was some interactions between the pair earlier in the day but there was nothing to indicate the level of violence that would erupt in the bar.

“The defendant was holding the dog close to Craig Gill, who proceeded to remonstrate before sitting back down only then to be lashed by the defendant with the dog lead,” he said.

“As the defendant has then sought to leave, Mr Gill tried to detain him, only to be met by a battery of forceful blows to the head which rendered him unconscious on his feet.

“As he crashed to the ground, unable to break his fall, he sustained an injury to his head. The impact stopped his breathing causing a cardiac arrest and ultimately the death of Mr Gill.”

Forensic teams working inside Blakes bar in Newton Aycliffe (Image: TERRY BLACKBURN)

Mr Dry said Slater-Smith boasted on Facebook about what had happened in the bar by posting a boxing glove emoji revelling in what he had done.

He said the altercation came after Mr Gill appeared to have "a bee in his bonnet" about the dog and the defendant not taking kindly to his opinions before he lashed out at his alleged victim.

“There were four blows delivered repeatedly to the head of Mr Gill,” Mr Dry added.

“What you have seen is the grim reality of the event. An utterly unnecessary attack on Mr Gill with the dog lead, lashed with some force, which prompted him to try and stop the defendant leaving the pub.

“No punches thrown, let alone landed by Mr Gill. The defendant’s reaction to being pulled back was utterly uncalled for, a barrage of blows delivered with accuracy and force.”

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Jurors also watched body-worn footage when police arrested the defendant at his Newton Aycliffe home hours after Mr Craig was left unconscious on the bar’s floor claiming he had acted in self-defence.

The footage recorded the accused telling police that he had "sorted out a d***head" in the pub and "had done nothing wrong".

Smith-Slater, of Bury Road, Newton Aycliffe, has pleaded not guilty to murder and the alternative charge of manslaughter.

The trial continues.