Man victim of 'frenzied attack'

A jury in a Bedfordshire murder trial has heard the victim was subject to an unprovoked "frenzied attack".

Noel Smith, 49, from Beauchamp Court, Bedford, was attacked in Rutland Road on 31 January. His life support machine was turned off on 2 February.

Piotr Pustelnik, 28, and Adrian Cybula, 23, deny the charge of murder and an alternative charge of manslaughter.

Prosecutor Beverley Cripps told Luton Crown Court the defendants kicked and jumped on his head.

Doctor Nat Carey told the court Mr Smith died as the result of trauma to the head causing a brain haemorrhage which could have been caused by punching, kicking or stamping.

'Like cycle helmet'

But he said the lack of outward signs of injury to his head and skull was probably due to "a large mass of dreadlocks".

He told the jury: "His head was protected by this huge mass of hair which would have had a significant cushioning effect from any kicking, punching or stamping.

"But the force was transmitted through the skull to cause the internal damage.

"It is like someone with a cycle helmet who is thrown from their bicycle."

The court was told experts had disagreed about some of the actions had caused the haemorrhage.

'Drunk and arguing'

One scenario was that the victim had fallen on to a stationary car, hitting his head.

But Dr Carey said it would have required a substantial impact with the car and would have damaged the car.

Ms Cripps said: "(Noel Smith) came along the two defendants.

"They were in a group of Polish people. They were drunk and arguing in the street and they turned their attention on him and without any cause or reason chased him in order to attack him.

"When he went to the ground they continued a frenzied attack on him, kicking his head and one of them jumping on his head, all this while he was helpless to defend himself."

Mr Cybula is from Old Ford End Road, Bedford and Mr Pustelnik is from Queensbury Close, Bedford.

The case continues.