Teen river murder trial jury out

Tony Atkin was severely assaulted, the court heard

A jury is considering its verdict in the trial of two teenage boys accused of rolling a helpless man into a Lincolnshire river.

Toby Atkin, 25, was allegedly pushed into the River Welland in Spalding by a 14-year-old and a 16-year-old in May.

The prosecution at Nottingham Crown Court claimed the pair killed Mr Atkin, after they had kicked and burnt him.

The pair, who cannot be named, deny murder, claiming Mr Atkin fell into the river and they could not help him.

The court heard how the teenagers, who cannot be named for legal reasons, met up with Mr Atkin on 17 May.

The court was told they knew he was a binge-drinker and drug user - and attacked him when he was helpless to respond.

The older boy, now 17, was accused of persuading the younger, now aged 15, into helping him push Mr Atkin into the River Welland.