Two men have denied wanting to hurt a drug dealer after he was left a paraplegic when he fell from a window trying to escape an armed gang.
Kallum Shilham and Andrew Hobson both maintained they never intended to hurt the 20-year-old, who was left paralysed from the neck down after suffering catastrophic head injuries when he tried to flee to safety.
Teesside Crown Court heard how Samantha Nunn, her boyfriend Kallum Shilham, and Andrew Hobson were caught on Ring doorbell footage using weapons to smash their way into a house intent on violence.
Shilham admitted taking a knife with him they turned up at the house in the early hours intent on taking drugs and cash off their alleged target but denied that he himself had been ‘taxed’ by the victim.
Giving evidence, the 24-year-old categorically denied they intended to serious injure the man and he told jurors he left the house when he recognised his girlfriend at the address on Parkfield Way, Thornaby.
When asked how he felt after the man fell to the ground headfirst, Shilham said: “It’s the worst thing I have ever experienced. I deeply regret it. I didn’t want to harm him at all.”
Under cross-examination from prosecution lawyer, Paul Rooney, the defendant accepted that he did nothing to help the injured man.
Earlier in the day, Hobson said they had gone to the ‘graft’ house to take drugs and money without the intention of causing serious harm to anyone.
The 45-year-old told jurors he had only gone along because he owed Shilham money for drugs.
Mr Rooney said: “You went there with the intention of giving that lad a got hiding, didn’t you?”
Hobson replied: “I never went there for that. I never went there to harm him.”
Mr Rooney said: 2you didn’t go there to tickle him, did you?”
Hobson replied: “No, but I didn’t go there to harm him either.”
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Nunn, 33, of Sandringham Road, Thornaby, is charged with aggravated burglary and causing grievous bodily harm with intent. Jurors heard she has admitted a lesser charge of causing grievous bodily harm without intent.
Her boyfriend, 24-year-old Shilham, of Harrowgate Lane, Stockton, has denied the same charges and also admitted the lesser charge and pleaded guilty to possession of a bladed article.
The third defendant, 45-year-old Hobson, of Sun Gardens, Thornaby, has denied both charges and also denied the possession of an offensive weapon - a pool cue.
The trial continues.
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