PC Neil Doyle death: Murder accused blames friend

PC Neil Doyle had worked for the police for 10 years

A man accused of murdering an off-duty police officer during a fight on a Christmas night out has blamed his co-accused for the killing.

PC Neil Doyle, 36, died following an attack in Liverpool city centre in the early hours of 19 December last year.

Timmy Donovan, 30, Andrew Taylor, 29, and Christopher Spendlove, 30, are on trial for murder at Liverpool Crown Court.

The three men also deny wounding with intent and causing grievous body harm.

The court has previously heard how PC Doyle was struck by a "pile driver" punch, in a confrontation in Seel Street just before 03:00 GMT.

PC Doyle, who was with fellow officers Robert Marshall and Michael Steventon at the time, died from an injury to an artery in his neck.

The court heard the two groups argued over who was in the wrong

Mr Donovan, who was extradited after fleeing to Germany following the death, told the court it was his football agent friend Mr Taylor who had "knocked out" PC Doyle.

Prosecutor Nicholas Johnson QC asked him: "Who was it that killed Mr Doyle?"

Mr Donovan replied: "I'd say it was Andrew Taylor from what I seen on the night, and from what the prosecution put together on the footage, and also Mr Taylor's admissions in interview and to his brother."

Mr Donovan also told jurors that after getting into a taxi following the attack, Mr Taylor allegedly admitted to arguing with the "big fella", adding: "He said he'd knocked him out."

He said: "We weren't boasting about it, it was over in a matter of seconds. Fights always happen in town. I didn't think much of it."

'Excessive force'

Mr Johnson suggested that before the incident Mr Donovan had been "bouncing around like a boxer in the ring".

Mr Donovan denied hitting PC Doyle, but admitted hitting the other two officers after it "all broke out very quick".

He alleged the group began "fronting" and he hit Mr Steventon in the face with a left jab after Mr Taylor allegedly went at PC Doyle.

Mr Donovan accepted that he struck Mr Marshall with "excessive force" before going back and stamping on him.

He said: "I have gone over the top, just seeing red for a few seconds, then realised what I was doing. I just remember saying, 'he's had enough let's go'."

The trial continues.