Bishop Auckland murder trial is nearing a conclusion

Lee Clarkson suffered a fatal stab wound when he was dragged outside his home and beaten by a group of armed attackers, Teesside Crown Court heard.

Five people were charged with the murder of the 42-year-old after he bled to death outside his home late last year.

A post-mortem examination revealed that he had died as a result of blood loss after being stabbed in the abdomen.

Police outside the house on West Lane, Bishop Auckland, where Lee Clarkson was killed. (Image: TERRY BLACKBURN)

Michael Richardson, 52, of Boddy Street, Bishop Auckland; Karl Jones, 45, of General Bucher Court, Bishop Auckland; Helen Jones, 43, of General Bucher Court, Bishop Auckland; Craig Dent, 42, of Gray Street, Eldon Lane; and the teenager; are all on trial for murder.

Lee Clarkson (Image: DURHAM CONSTABULARY)

Two members of the group, Dent and the 17-year-old, who cannot be named for legal reasons, have admitted manslaughter but continue to deny the murder of Mr Clarkson outside his home on West Lane, Bishop Auckland, on November 29 last year.

Jurors had heard how Mr Clarkson had tried to drag himself back to his home but died after suffering significant blood loss from his stab wounds.

During his evidence, the teenager maintained that he never meant to kill Mr Clarkson or cause him very serious harm when he stabbed.

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The teenager said: “I bent over him and stabbed him twice while he was laid on the ground.”

His barrister, Simon Kealy KC, asked: “What was going through your mind when you stabbed him?”

“I was scared – I didn’t know what I was doing,” he replied. “I didn’t mean to kill him or cause him serious harm – I was just trying to scare him.”

The murder trial continues.