Bishop Auckland murder trial: Accused due to give evidence

Lee Clarkson was stabbed to death outside his home after he had been dragged outside and beaten by the masked group armed with weapons.

Teesside Crown Court heard how the 41-year-old was stabbed three times in the abdomen with two piercing his liver resulting in fatal blood loss.

A witness had told jurors how a fatally injured Mr Clarkson tried to crawl back into his house on West Lane after he was attacked at around 6pm on November 29 last year.

Lee Clarkson (Image: DURHAM CONSTABULARY)

The jury had heard how Michael Richardson is accused of assembling the team of alleged attackers after his home and shed were burgled and they intended to confront their suspected target.

Richard Wright KC, opening the prosecution case last week, said: “He (Lee Clarkson) was on any view the innocent victim of the team of people.

“We say that because the evidence suggests that the target of this team was Simon Blackwell – the man who lodged in the house and who had managed to escape from the first-floor window and then run away.

“Lee Clarkson’s death was the culmination of a pre-planned and targeted attack on his home by a team who had all, I suggest, signed up to the use of serious violence including the use of weapons.”

Police at the scene on the evening of the alleged murder of Lee Clarkson on West Lane, Bishop Auckland. (Image: TERRY BLACKBURN)

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A 17-year-old youth, who cannot be named for legal reasons, has already admitted to stabbing Mr Clarkson, but denies being responsible for his murder.

Co-accused Craig Dent has also admitted manslaughter but also denies a charge of murder.

The murder accused are due to start giving evidence to the jury this morning (Wednesday, June 16).

Michael Richardson, 52, of Boddy Street, Bishop Auckland; Karl Jones, 45, of General Bucher Court, Bishop Auckland; Helen Jones, 42, of General Bucher Court, Bishop Auckland; Craig Dent, 42, of Gray Street, Eldon Lane; and the teenager who cannot be named for legal reasons, are all on trial for murder.

The trial continues.