Stabbing victim faced multiple threats, court told

Two men are on trial accused of the attempted murder of Nathan Williams at Lawrence Hill roundabout in Bristol

A former drug dealer, allegedly stabbed by two men accused of murdering a teenager, had faced threats from multiple factions, a court has heard.

Paul Hayden and Zacharia Talbert-Young are on trial at Bristol Crown Court for the attempted murder of Nathan Williams on 2 February 2024 at Lawrence Hill roundabout.

The pair are also on trial for the murder of Eddie Kinuthia, 19, on 21 July 2023, while a third man, Remi Hitchcock, 30, is charged with assisting an offender in relation to the death of Mr Kinuthia. All three deny the charges.

Mr Williams initially told police Mr Hayden bore him a grudge in a row over a girl, but admitted on Tuesday his drug dealing had given others a motive to harm him.

Eddie Kinuthia, 19, died in hospital after being attacked in St Pauls in July 2023

The jury has been shown police body worn camera footage from the officer guarding Mr Williams, 21, in hospital, in which he claimed to be an "innocent civilian who got stabbed because a girl liked me" and named Mr Hayden, 22, from Hanham, as his attacker.

In later police interviews, he admitted owing £700 to a friend of Mr Hayden from who he purchased cannabis to sell on.

But Paul Mendell KC, for Mr Hayden, showed the court a "zombie" style hunting knife with a 44cm (17in) blade that was found on Mr Williams when he was stabbed.

Mr Mendell put it to Mr Williams that he had been the subject of threats since getting into a fight at a house party on 30 December 2023, that resulted in the police being called.

Mr Mendell also alleged that Mr Williams had been dealing drugs in areas covered by two rival factions in Bristol - known as the 1-6s and the 4-2s.

"I suggest that your conduct in selling drugs has alienated both the 1-6s and the 2-4s, you had been beaten up in the past for your drug dealing, so that's another area of threat to your safety."

Mr Williams accepted he had been beaten up and threatened in the past.

While Mr Talbert-Young, 27, from Easton, was not identified by Mr Williams in his police interviews, he was also charged with attempted murder.

The trial continues.