Murder accused 'sobbed' on arrest

Stephen Green was attacked in an underpass in Dunstable

A teenager buckled at the knees and sobbed when he was arrested for the murder of a cyclist, a court has heard.

Stephen Green, 54, was attacked in an underpass beneath the M1 in Dunstable by a gang of four as he cycled home, and died in hospital nine days later.

Richard McNamara had to be supported by a police officer when he was arrested, Luton Crown Court heard.

The 19-year-old and Darryll Bennett, 18, Nicholas Garland, 18, and Shane Liddy, 19, all from Luton, deny murder.

Cycle helmet

Pc Sharon Twigg told the court how she had gone to Mr McNamara's Butely Road home to arrest him.

"I arrested Mr McNamara for the murder of Mr Stephen Green. He went very pale. His legs wobbled, he buckled at the knees. I thought he was going to fall down the stairs," Pc Twigg said.

"I supported him and took him downstairs to the dining room. He changed his clothes into a forensic paper suit. He was very quiet, subdued and sat quietly sobbing to himself.

"His sister Michelle said: 'Just tell them.'"

The prosecution claim Mr Green, from Ackworth Crescent, Luton, was repeatedly kicked, stamped on and hit with a stick by the gang who robbed his rucksack.

Forensic scientist Dorothy Allan told the court she had examined a stick and Mr Green's purple cycle helmet.

"The stick was chemically treated - some fragments of paint were embedded on the surface at the end of the stick. It must have been a forceful contact.

"There was possibly one impact. There could have been more. There is strong evidence the stick had been in forceful contact with the helmet."

All four defendants were arrested on 16 May.

Mr Bennett, of Eighth Avenue, and Mr McNamara and Mr Garland, of Bradley Road, have pleaded guilty to an alternative charge of manslaughter and have also pleaded guilty to conspiracy to rob.

Mr Liddy, of Brickley Road, denies manslaughter and a conspiracy to rob charge.

The trial continues.