Boy was fatally stabbed by rival gang, court told

Darrian Williams, 16, died from a single stab wound to his back

A boy who died after being stabbed in the back is thought to have been a victim of gang rivalry conflict, a court has heard.

Darrian Williams, 16, died after being attacked in Rawnsley Park in Easton, Bristol, at around 18:00 GMT on 14 February.

Two 16-year-old boys on trial for his murder, who cannot be identified for legal reasons, appeared at Bristol Crown Court earlier. They both deny the charges.

Moments before the attack, it is believed there was a verbal confrontation in which the postcodes "1-6" and "2s" were exchanged, which are linked to gangs in Bristol, the prosecution told the court.

The "1-6" gang is associated with the Fishponds, Hillfields and Oldbury Court areas, the court was told.

Prosecutor Michael Burrows KC said how in recent years, the gang had been in conflict with another gang, the “2-4s” or “2s”, which is associated with St Pauls and St Judes.

The group of friends were sitting on a bench near the play area of the park when they were approached by the defendants, the court was told

Mr Burrows KC told the court that at about 17:50 that evening, Darrian was socialising with friends in Rawnsley Park when they were passed by two teenagers riding bikes and wearing balaclavas.

He told the court that one of Darrian's friends alleged in a police interview that the pair returned 10 minutes later, shouting: “Is that Darrian? Are you 1-6?”

Mr Burrows KC alleged Darrian reportedly jumped up onto the table and attempted to kick his attackers away, but was stabbed in the back during the altercation.

One of the defendants is then said to have remarked "2s on top", the court was told.

After being stabbed, Darrian ran to Stapleton Road where a motorist attempted to assist him, the jury heard.

He then collapsed in West Street, Old Market, and was pronounced dead at 19:10 by paramedics on the scene.

A police cordon was put in place at Rawnsley Park

Police searched the park and found a knife and a sheath containing DNA belonging to both Darrian and one of the defendants, the court was told.

Mr Burrows KC told the jury: "The prosecution say one of the defendants inflicted that fatal wound.

"But this was a joint attack and both defendants shared the intention to kill or at least cause really serious injury. They are therefore both guilty of murder."

He added one of the boys has accepted causing the fatal wound but claims he did so in self-defence.

The other teenager on trial says he did not have a knife and did not intend to cause Darrian serious injury, Mr Burrow KC said.

A forensic pathologist later determined the weapon to be "at least 7cm long"

Mr Burrows KC told the court that while in custody, one of the teenagers made a recorded call to his mother, inquiring about the search police had carried out at his home.

He asked about one bag specifically, and when told it had been seized, responded with: "Oh s***. I’m going to prison."

One of the defendants has admitted a charge of possessing a knife in a public place, while the other denies that charge.

The trial continues.