Accused says victim punched first

Robert Gill's body was discovered by a team of police divers

One of three teenagers accused of killing a 17-year-old student who drowned in a river has told a jury that he was punched by the victim first.

The body of Robert Gill, 17, was found in the Great River Ouse near Bedford.

Sean Downes, 18, of Acacia Road, Bedford, Thomas Luddington, 18, of Dunham Close, Bedford, and a boy, aged 16, who cannot be named, deny murder.

Mr Downes told Luton Crown Court he only punched Robert after he was first punched by him.

Mr Downes admitted he had picked Robert's pockets when he came across him drunk outside a Bedford night club. He took his cash card.

'Punched him back'

He denied Robert stayed with them against his will and was not aware of his friend Mr Luddington punching him in the street.

They headed off over Town Bridge and along the river and said he was not aware of Mr Luddington again attacking Robert.

"When we got to the bridge (The Royal Engineers Bridge) I was next to Robert. He realised I had his bank card and kept asking me for it. I told him he was not getting it back," said Mr Downes.

"Then he just turned, he stopped being all nice and got a bit angry and punched me in the face. I punched him back three times in the face.

"I grabbed him by the neck and pulled his head down onto the railings of the bridge. Then Thomas came from behind me and either grabbed his ankles or kicked his legs and he flipped over into the water."

Feel terrible

Asked by his barrister Nicholas Atkinson QC: "How do you think about these events now?"

Mr Downes replied "It's terrible, terrible. I think about it every day."

The prosecution allege that Robert, from Wilstead was picked on as an easy target for a robbery in the early hours of 27 December last year.

Mr Downes of Acacia Road, Bedford, and Mr Luddington, of Dunham Close, Bedford, and the third defendant now aged 16 all plead not guilty to murder, but Mr Luddington has pleaded guilty to manslaughter.

Mr Downes and the 16-year-old also deny false imprisonment and robbery - offences which Mr Luddington admits.

The case continues.