Three men, including an 18-year-old from Hartlepool, have gone on trial at Teesside Crown Court accused of the stabbing death of a man in Stockton earlier this year.
Allegations and evidence shown to jury
Prosecutors say the victim, David Cuthbert, 50, was found inside his home on Egglescliffe Close in Hardwick on Saturday 10 January, having sustained a fatal knife wound to the chest which penetrated his heart. He was discovered by family members at about 7pm and was pronounced dead at the scene after police and paramedics attended.
The Crown alleges the three accused travelled to the property intending to use violence to obtain money or drugs to enforce a debt. A jury has been shown video material that the prosecution say depicts part of the attack and was shared via Snapchat. That footage reportedly shows a bloodstained knife being held towards Mr Cuthbert while he cowered in a chair.
“The prosecution’s case is that these three men were on a mission, using serious violence to obtain money or drugs to enforce a debt.”
The prosecution say further evidence linking the defendants includes CCTV footage and messages exchanged on social media. One message allegedly includes a description of stabbing and a comment that the act was because someone “owed dough.”
Who is charged
| Defendant | Age | Alleged charge |
|---|---|---|
| Jesse Reaney | 18 | Murder |
| Charlie Wilcock | 19 | Murder |
| Layton Lightfoot | 18 | Murder |
Alleged actions and aftermath
The jury heard that, in addition to the fatal wound, Mr Cuthbert suffered a number of other injuries described as non-life-threatening, including stab wounds to his forearm and leg. The Crown contends the three men were together both before and after the killing and that they left the scene in a taxi immediately afterwards.
- Victim: David Cuthbert, 50, found dead at his home in Hardwick.
- Defendants: Jesse Reaney (18), Charlie Wilcock (19), Layton Lightfoot (18).
- Key evidence shown in court: videos allegedly shared on Snapchat, CCTV footage, and messages.
The trial is ongoing at Teesside Crown Court. As proceedings continue, the court will consider the footage and communications the prosecution say place the three defendants at the scene and demonstrate their motive.
Hartlepool residents will wish to follow the outcome of the case closely given the involvement of a local teenager and the serious nature of the allegations. The conviction and sentencing process, if the defendants are found guilty, will also be of direct relevance to public confidence in local policing and the criminal justice response to violent crime.
