Bodmin murder trial: Man stabbed while trying to help woman, jury told

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

A man tried to rescue a woman from a fight outside a nightclub in Cornwall but ended up being stabbed in the chest, a jury has heard.

Stefan Williams was one of six who were stabbed or slashed in a brawl in Bodmin on 30 April 2023 outside Eclipse Nightclub, Truro Crown Court heard.

Rugby player Michael Riddiough-Allen, 32, was stabbed to death.

Jake Hill, 25, Tia Taylor, 22, and Chelsea Powell, 22, all from Bodmin, have been charged with murder.

In video evidence given at Truro Crown Court, Mr Williams said he was stabbed in the chest as he tried to move a woman away from a "big fight" outside the club shortly after it closed at 03:00 BST.

"Everyone ran into a circle and just started to hit each other," he said.

"I saw a young blonde girl being pushed around, I grabbed her and pulled her away trying to calm her down."

Mr Williams, from South Africa, said he was trying to protect the woman.

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

He said he soon realised he was injured, so he pulled his T-shirt down and saw a "gaping" wound on his chest.

The jury heard Mr Williams turned around to see Mr Riddiough-Allen fall to the ground.

"I knew he was not going to get up," he said.

"I could see the life going out of his body."

The court heard Mr Williams and his friend, who was also stabbed, were treated in hospital.

He said his friend called his parents and was "ready to say goodbye to them".

In video evidence, Mr Williams said he did not see a knife and was not certain who stabbed him.

Mr Hill denies a total of 12 charges including murder, attempted murder and wounding with intent.

Ms Taylor denies three charges including murder, the alternative of manslaughter and attempting to pervert the course of justice.

Ms Powell denies the same three charges as Ms Taylor.

The trial continues.