Jury out in birthday murder trial

David Haynes was fatally stabbed on his 21st birthday

The jury in the trial of three men accused of murdering a man who was stabbed while celebrating his 21st birthday is considering its verdict.

David Haynes was attacked in Silver Street, Wellingborough, Northamptonshire on 26 August 2007.

Northampton Crown Court heard he was stabbed when he tried to help a friend.

Shilesh Patel, 26, and Nimesh Patel, 24, both from Wellingborough, and 22-year-old Sandeep Phull, from Northampton, all deny murder.

The three also deny conspiracy to cause grievous bodily harm.

Jurors heard how Mr Haynes was celebrating his birthday with his cousin Shane McLeod, 24, and other friends in the Bar Life nightclub in Wellingborough.

Kitchen knife

Mr McLeod, who is deaf, told the court how Mr Haynes stood up for him as he became involved in pushing with a group of men.

Jurors were told that Mr Haynes confronted Shilesh Patel, one of the men who had clashed with his cousin, telling him: "If you have got trouble with that guy, you have got trouble with me."

The court heard how the altercation ended with both parties shaking hands, but Shilesh Patel was later punched outside the club by Mr McLeod's party who had accused him of mocking their deaf friend.

Shilesh Patel returned to his home in Winstanley Road, Wellingborough, with his co-defendants, where he armed himself with a kitchen knife.

Jurors were told he then went back to Silver Street and stabbed Mr Haynes in the stomach.

Mr Haynes died at Kettering General Hospital 12 hours later.

When questioned by police, Shilesh Patel said the killing was an accident and that he was carrying a knife for protection.

Mr Phull, of Westcott Way, Abington Vale, Northampton, and Nimesh Patel, of Covington Grove, Wellingborough, told officers they played no part in the stabbing.