Glenn Clary murder trial: Accused 'did not mean to kill'

The Northampton Crown Court jury has seen footage of Mr Clary's assault

One of three people accused of beating a man to death told a jury he did not realise how hard he was striking him.

Sixty-year-old Glenn Clary died last August in Irthlingborough, Northamptonshire, with broken ribs, brain damage and ruptured liver.

John York, 23, Jennifer Ryan, 46, and Gary Monaghan, 64, all from Irthlingborough, deny murder.

At Northampton Crown Court, Mr Monaghan said the incident in which Mr Clary was fatally hurt "happened fast".

The jury heard how Mr Clary had been with Mr Monaghan at his Crouch Road home drinking Frosty Jack's Cider.

The pair were later joined by Mr York and Ms Ryan.

Accounts as to exactly what happened on 26 August differ, the court heard, but the jury was told there was a "possible argument" over drink and Mr York had wanted Mr Clary out of the house.

'Great fear'

The jury was told Ms Ryan threw the first punch and that the other two joined in the assault.

During cross-examination, Mr Monaghan was asked whether he had given any thought to how hard any of the three were striking Mr Clary. He replied: "No."

Asked whether he gave any thought to the injuries Mr Clary was suffering, Mr Monaghan replied: "Not at the time, no."

In his closing speech, Stephen Lowne, prosecuting told how Mr Clary had been tied up, gagged and beaten to death.

The attack was also filmed, and footage shown to the jury.

Mr Lowne said: "During that time not only must he (Mr Clary) have been in great fear and undoubtedly, once some of the serious injuries had been caused, in considerable pain."

He said the three accused all maintained they did not intend to kill Mr Clary.

The trial continues.