Jonjo Highton stabbing: Man died in 'mass street attack'
- Published
Jonjo Highton died after receiving a wound to the neck
A drug dealer who was stabbed in the neck died during a "mass attack", a court has heard.
Jonjo Highton, 18, was confronted by eight armed men on a Preston street last August, Preston Crown Court heard.
Neil Flewitt QC, prosecuting, said it was impossible to say who delivered the fatal wound so all were charged with murder.
All deny murder and another three have pleaded not guilty to assisting an offender.
Mr Flewitt told the jury on Wednesday that Jon-Jo Highton was a drug dealer and his alleged attackers were rivals.
There had been trouble at one of the defendants' homes on 23 August, he added.
The attackers were looking for revenge on the people responsible or their associates, the court heard.
'Horrific injuries'
The jury heard they were travelling in two cars when they confronted Mr Highton on St Stephen's Road, in Fulwood, at about 23:30 BST.
The defendants acted with what was described as "murderous intent", Mr Flewitt added.
The court heard Mr Highton suffered horrific injuries and a graphic, computer-generated image of the fatal injury to his neck and face, was shown.
It was inflicted with a long bladed weapon, the jury heard.
Mr Highton's mother broke down in court at seeing the picture and had to helped from the courtroom, before returning later in the afternoon.
The trial is expected to continue for at least 10 weeks.
Defendants and charges
The following men all deny murder:
Owen Whitesmith, 19, of Glebe Close Fulwood
Arron Graham, 34, of Ripon Street, Preston
Stephen Walton, 24, of no fixed address
Craig Walton, 26, of Watling Street Road, Fulwood
Joshua Bore, 19, of Morris Road, Ribbleton
Zaahid Patel, 20, of Park Avenue, Preston
Mohammed Sabbah Dal, 20, of Alice Square, Preston
Minhaj Musa, 21, of Deepdale Road, Preston
The following men all deny assisting an offender:
Liam Tunstall, 26, of Mark Close, Penwortham
John Wilding, 36, of Everton Street, Darwen
Stuart Eastham, 33, of Gisburn Road, Ribbleton