Big Issue seller murder trial starts

Keith Swan died in Addenbrooke's Hospital

Three men have gone on trial accused of murdering a former seller of the The Big Issue magazine.

Keith Swan, 32, was attacked on 11 January in Queen's Road in Norwich.

Mr Swan, originally from Wales, died from head injuries in Addenbrooke's Hospital in Cambridge two days after the attack.

On Thursday, Edward North, Martyn Armstrong and Oliver Guthrie denied a charge of murder at Norwich Crown Court.

Keith Swan died after the attack in Norwich

The court heard from Rachel Allen, a friend of the former Big Issue vendor, who was with Mr Swan at the bus station in Norwich when three men approached near them.

The court heard Mr Swan had shouted at them to be quiet, and according to Graham Parkins QC, prosecuting, that "triggered off events that would cost him his life".

'Set upon'

The court heard there was a chase out of the bus station, and the three men set upon him all wanting to give him "some sort of hiding".

Judge Mr Justice Moses and the jury were due to visit the scene of the crime in Queen's Road later on Thursday.

The court heard that North, 20, was a butcher from Norwich, Armstrong, 21, was a labourer from Loddon in Norfolk, and Guthrie,19, was unemployed from Norwich.

The trial continues.