Bodmin murder trial: Stabbing a 'clear cut case of murder', jury hears

Prosecutor Mark Cotter KC said in his closing speech that Mr Hill "took a decision to use a knife" to attack six people

The killing of a rugby player in Cornwall in 2023 was "a clear cut case of murder", a jury has heard.

Michael Riddiough-Allen, 32, was stabbed to death outside Eclipse Nightclub in Bodmin in the early hours of 30 April 2023.

Jake Hill, 25, and Chelsea Powell, 22, from Bodmin, deny charges of murder.

Prosecutor Mark Cotter KC said in his closing speech that Mr Hill "took a decision to use a knife" to attack six people. The trial, in Truro, continues.

'Starburst of violence'

Mr Cotter said Ms Powell and Mr Hill had been "very much together" that evening, and that she had "intentionally assisted" Mr Hill in the attack on Mr Riddiough-Allen.

He said the alleged murder was part of "a starburst of violence" and that the prosecution did not accept Mr Hill could have been acting in self-defence.

Mr Cotter said even if Mr Hill believed it was self-defence, "it could not possibly be suggested it would be reasonable to start stabbing people".

He said the intimate contact between Mr Hill and Ms Powell on the night of the incident meant it was a "racing certainty that she would have known about the knife".

"She knows that is a very big problem for her and that's why she has to say: 'I didn't know about it'," Mr Cotter said.

Mr Hill accepted he was holding the knife which fatally wounded Mr Riddiough-Allen, but said the wound was caused in movement between them after Mr Riddiough-Allen apprehended him.

Mr Cotter said Mr Riddiough-Allen had been "trying to stop conflict" by deciding to take action to remove Mr Hill from a fight.

He said: "Whichever way you look at it, Jake Hill was the aggressor throughout. It was not self-defence and it its no coincidence that when it comes to the difficult stuff Jake Hill's recollection of events becomes a bit shaky."

Mr Hill has denied murder, saying he acted in self-defence. Chelsea Powell has denied murder, saying she did not know about the knife.

The trial is set to continue on Wednesday, when the jury is due to hear closing speeches from defence lawyers.