A trial at Teesside Crown Court has opened in which three teenagers are accused of fatally stabbing a 49-year-old man at his home in Stockton-on-Tees.
Allegations and evidence outlined to jury
Prosecutors say the defendants forced their way into the victim’s address and repeatedly attacked him, with one stab wound to the chest causing catastrophic blood loss. Jurors were shown video material and accounts suggesting the group were on what the prosecution described as a "mission" to secure drugs and money on the evening in question.
The court heard that:
- CCTV captured the defendants at a nearby petrol station; items later recovered by police included clothing, a bank card and a knife.
- One of the teenagers filmed the break-in and the subsequent events, material which was shared on social media platforms in the Stockton area, the jury was told.
- The same group are alleged to have committed a violent robbery against a woman minutes before the fatal attack.
"just stabbed the f*** out of him"
Prosecuting counsel told jurors that one of the defendants had sent a message with the words shown above. The courtroom was also shown footage in which the victim was heard being struck and stabbed while he attempted to curl up on a small chair.
Who is on trial
The three defendants pleaded not guilty and are being tried on charges that include murder. The court was told their ages are in the late teens. Family members of the victim discovered him after the group had left the address, the prosecution said.
| Name | Allegation |
|---|---|
| Jesse Reaney | Accused of involvement in fatal stabbing |
| Charlie Wilcock | Accused of involvement; recorded and shared material on social media |
| Layton Lightfoot | Accused of involvement in the incidents |
Impact on the community and next steps
The allegations and the sharing of footage on social media have caused distress in the local area, with family members confronting one of the defendants after images circulated. The court heard a recording of a telephone call in which the victim’s daughter challenged a defendant about her father’s death.
Jurors were presented with medical evidence describing a single chest wound as the cause of catastrophic blood loss, together with defensive injuries to the victim’s arms and hands. Police recovered material later linked to the scene and the defendants remain before the court as proceedings continue.
The trial will determine whether the Crown can prove beyond reasonable doubt that the three teenagers carried out the fatal attack. Reporting will continue as the case progresses through Teesside Crown Court.
If you have information relating to the case that may assist police, contact Cleveland Police via their non-emergency number or Crimestoppers. Any community concerns should be directed to local neighbourhood policing teams.
