Bodmin murder trial: Man stabbed after trying to stop fight

Tia Taylor, Jake Hill and Chelsea Powell are accused of murder

A man who died in a "knife rampage" outside a Cornwall nightclub was trying to break up a fight, a court has heard.

Michael Riddiough-Allen, 32, died in Bodmin in the early hours of 30 April 2023 outside Eclipse Nightclub.

Jake Hill, 25, Tia Taylor, 22, and Chelsea Powell, 22, all from Bodmin, were charged with Mr Riddiough-Allen's murder.

Truro Crown Court heard they been inside the club before Mr Hill picked up a hunting knife hidden in a hedge.

Mark Cotter KC, prosecuting, said a disturbance broke out between groups of people in the street after the venue closed shortly after 03:00.

He said six victims were either stabbed or slashed by Mr Hill who collected the blade from a nearby hedge where he had left it prior to entering the club.

Michael Riddiough-Allen, 32, died after he was stabbed on 30 April 2023

Mr Riddiough-Allen, who was the fifth person to be stabbed, died at the scene after suffering a fatal wound to his stomach.

The jury heard the violence broke out as the three defendants unsuccessfully tried to catch a taxi after leaving the club.

While they were trying to organise the pick-up, disorder was breaking out in the street between up to 15 revellers, including four or five women, the court heard.

'Knife rampage'

Mr Cotter said Mr Riddiough-Allen was unarmed and had been trying to separate the various fighting groups when he was stabbed.

Mr Cotter said Mr Hill became "angry and violent" after the trio became "embroiled" in the fight.

"The prosecution case is that Jake Hill having entered the disorder became angry and violent," he said.

"One witness, who saw some of the stabbings and the aftermath of others, described Jake Hill as being on a 'knife rampage'.

"The prosecution case is that Jake Hill deliberately stabbed and slashed at individuals within the group and caused the various wounds and that when he did so he intended to kill or at the very least intended to cause really serious bodily harm."

'Violent environment'

Jurors were told that Ms Taylor and Ms Powell allegedly joined in with the attack on Mr Riddiough-Allen.

Mr Cotter said further allegations of attempting to pervert the course of justice against Ms Taylor and Ms Powell came from statements they gave to the police after the incident.

Mr Hill denies a total of 12 charges, while Ms Taylor and Ms Powell deny three charges each.

The trial continues.

Additional reporting by PA Media