Chelmsford murder trial: Dealer stabbed boy to 'teach him lesson'

Andy Wood was described by the prosecutor as a "bit of a hippy who loved skateboarding"

A teenager was stabbed in the neck and killed by a balaclava-clad drug dealer trying to rob him for "selling on his patch", a court heard.

Andy Wood, 16, was found seriously injured in Waterson Vale in Chelmsford, Essex, on 12 February last year.

Elijah Clark arranged to buy drugs from Mr Wood but turned up to "teach him a lesson", the prosecution said.

The 19-year-old, of Gloucester Avenue in the city, is on trial at Chelmsford Crown Court.

Christopher Paxton KC, prosecuting, said Mr Wood died from a single stab wound to the neck that caused "uncontrollable bleeding".

The defendant fled the scene with a "military style knife" and disposed of it. It has never been found, Mr Paxton said.

Mr Clark wanted to "demonstrate his authority" and saw Mr Wood as an "interloper" encroaching on his patch, jurors were told.

Andy Wood collapsed not far from where he was allegedly stabbed in Waterson Vale, Chelmsford

"We suggest [Mr Clark] saw himself as something of a drug dealer with a status and a standing he was keen to record," said Mr Paxton.

He said the defendant had previously been caught in possession of a machete at Northolt railway station in west London in June 2022.

The barrister said Mr Wood had been described as a "bit of a hippy who loved skateboarding".

Mr Paxton said the defendant was expected to say he was acting in self-defence.

Mr Clark denies murder and an alternative charge of manslaughter. He has also pleaded not guilty to having a bladed article and the assault occasioning actual bodily harm of Mr Wood's friend.

The trial continues.