Judge to accept majority verdict

Paul Kelly was found dead outside the Longacre Tavern

A jury at the trial of a teenager accused of repeatedly stabbing a man outside a Bath pub has been told it can return a majority verdict.

Paul Kelly, 32, was attacked in an alley behind the Longacre Tavern in the early hours of New Year's Day 2007.

Bristol Crown Court has heard how post-mortem examinations revealed Mr Kelly died as a result of multiple stab wounds to the abdomen.

Nathan Dixon, 18, of Cox Lee Drive, Bath, denies murder.

Prosecutor Neil Ford said Mr Dixon had been seen to launch a "frenzied attack" on Mr Kelly.

Mr Kelly, a Glaswegian who had lived in Bath for some time, was with a group of friends at the Longacre Tavern, in London Road, when an argument broke out, the court heard.

Mr Dixon's defence claimed Mr Kelly had been shouting racist taunts before the attack.

Mr Justice Field told the jurors he would accept a majority of 10 to two after they failed to reach a verdict during more than eight hours of deliberations.