Widow hears of husband's stabbing

Evidence was being heard at the High Court in Edinburgh

A widow had to leave a murder trial in tears after hearing how her husband was stabbed to death in an Aberdeen street.

The High Court in Edinburgh heard that Willie Reeve, 41, told his friend Jimmy Graham: "They got me Jim".

Mr Graham said: "He was looking pale. He just collapsed. I put him in the recovery position and sat with him."

As Mr Graham was giving his evidence, Julie Reeve left the courtroom. John Anderson, 29, denies murdering Mr Reeve in Beattie Avenue in February.

Mr Anderson claims he was acting in self defence. He and his brother George, 33, also deny charges of assault and breach of the peace.

'Plunged knife'

The court heard Mr Reeve had set out to "batter" the two brothers who had allegedly attacked his handicapped son the previous evening.

Mr Graham was carrying a meat cleaver for protection.

Mr Graham said Mr Reeve began punching George Anderson and he brandished his cleaver at John Anderson, who ran away and returned with a knife in each hand.

He said: "I just raised the cleaver a bit higher and defended myself as he came in hacking and stabbing."

He said the fight between Mr Reeve and George Anderson was continuing in the hedge behind him, but halted moments later.

Then John Anderson ran past and plunged the knife into his friend's chest, the court was told.

The trial continues.