Teenager 'killed lover's husband'

Dickson Ho was out to 'teach Gethin Owen a lesson,' the prosecution claims

A teenager kicked and punched his new lover's husband to death to show his "power and strength", a court heard.

Dickson Ho, then 17, is said to have put father-of-three Gethin Owen, 47, in a bear hug and carried him outside.

Cardiff Crown Court heard Mr Owen died in July 2007 of a stroke and heart attack caused by multiple fractures.

Mr Owen went to the St Athan home of his estranged wife, Tracey, 35, unaware she had started a new relationship. Mr Ho denies murder. The trial continues.

The trial was told the Owens had split up six weeks earlier but were still in regular contact because of their children.

However, Mrs Owen had started a relationship with the defendant, who turned 18 this month, whose family run a Chinese takeaway in Canton, Cardiff.

The prosecution claims Mr Ho demonstration of strength led him to carry Mr Owen outside in a bear hug and kick him in the head and ribs.

There is no doubt who was the aggressor in this attack - he was kicking him in the ribs and chest and punching him in the face John Jenkins, prosecuting

Mr Owen then left the property but was followed by the defendent who attacked again, the court was told.

A post mortem examination showed the father-of-three, a steelworker since leaving the RAF, had 10 fractured ribs.

John Jenkins, prosecuting, said: "Dickson Ho was not out of control - he was out to teach Gethin Owen a lesson and perhaps impress his new girlfriend with his power and strength.

"He was 5ft 11-in tall and 13 stone, compared to Mr Owen who was only 5ft 4in and two stone lighter.

"There is no doubt who was the aggressor in this attack. He was kicking him in the ribs and chest and punching him in the face.

"This went on for about five minutes before Ho walked off leaving Mr Owen lying on the ground."

The court heard Mr Owen's 11-year-old daughter witnessed the attack from her bedroom window.

Mr Ho, of Canton, Cardiff, denies murder. The trial continues.