Teens deny killing 'helpless' man

Two teenagers used a mobile phone to film themselves attacking a helpless man before rolling him into a river to drown, a court has heard.

The 14-year-old and 16-year-old kicked and burned their victim before putting his body into a Lincolnshire river, a jury at Nottingham Crown Court heard.

The pair deny murdering Toby Atkin, 25, of Spalding, claiming they saw him fall into the river but could not help him.

The prosecution said there is "powerful evidence" they killed him.

The younger boy allegedly deleted the damning images of the attack from his phone after his friend warned: "If we get caught it's murder."

'Jeered and cajoled'

The teenagers, who cannot be named for legal reasons, met up with Mr Atkin in his home town of Spalding on 17 May.

Paul Mann QC, prosecuting, claimed the pair knew he was a binge-drinker who often drank himself into a stupor and also sometimes mixed alcohol with drugs.

CCTV from earlier that day in Spalding town centre showed him slumped on the ground outside a Sainsbury's and then refusing the help of paramedics.

Mr Mann said that by the evening, when his state had worsened further, the teenagers began abusing him knowing he was helpless to respond.

The court heard the 16-year-old eventually "jeered and cajoled" the reluctant 14-year-old into helping him push Mr Atkin into the river.

The case continues.