Teenager claims machete was only a 'deterrent'

Kyle Marshall, 37, died following an incident in Well Head Fields in Bourne in June 2024

A youth accused of taking a machete to the scene of a murder told Lincoln Crown Court it was only going to be used as a deterrent.

The 17-year-old, who cannot be named because of his age, took the weapon to Wellhead Park in Bourne on 26 June last year where Kyle Marshall, 37, suffered stab wounds and bled to death.

The court previously heard there had been a disagreement between the two defendants and members of Mr Marshall's family which led to a confrontation.

Reece Bruns, 20, of St Paul's Gardens, Bourne, and the youth both deny the murder of Mr Marshall and a second charge of possessing a bladed article in public.

The youth told the court he thought the machete, which he had bought three months prior to Mr Marshall's death, would only be used as a deterrent on the night of the attack.

"I never bought it to use for an offence," the youth insisted.

Jurors were shown social media footage of the youth displaying the machete and a folding knife on his bed.

The youth told the prosecution he found the machete "appealing" and "cool" but denied he was showing off by sending the videos to friends.

He admitted taking the machete from his home on the night of Mr Marshall's death but denied removing a folding knife from his bedroom.

Asked why he did not leave the park when he heard Mr Marshall was coming, the youth replied: "I don't know."

He added: "Kyle knew where I lived."

Mr Bruns has denied deliberately stabbing Mr Marshall with the machete and said he was "scared for his life" after being threatened by the older man.

Jurors heard Mr Marshall died at the scene after suffering a stab wound to the heart.

The trial continues.

Listen to highlights from Lincolnshire on BBC Sounds, watch the latest episode of Look North or tell us about a story you think we should be covering here.