Man died from stabbing after fight in Bath, court hears

Ben Moncrieff was stabbed outside McDonald's on Southgate St, Bath

An 18-year-old man died from a single stab wound to his chest after an altercation, a court has heard.

Ben Moncrieff, from Bath, was stabbed on 6 May on Southgate Street. A 16-year-old boy, who cannot be named for legal reasons, has denied one count of murder.

Bristol Crown Court heard how the boy became involved with a heated argument with Mr Moncrieff's friend.

Witnesses said it was clear he had been stabbed after the altercation.

The incident took place close to a city centre McDonald's restaurant in the early hours of the morning.

Giving evidence, McDonald's security guard Nicholas Lay said: "The tone and dialogue in which [the defendant] was speaking, it wasn't a pleasant manner, let's put it that way. "

The boy and his friends had been refused entry to McDonalds because they were using laughing gas.

"His threatening behaviour continued when Ben intervened, with him goading Ben to 'come round the corner'," Mr Lay added.

He said he saw a fight begin and heard a "thud" as their bodies hit each other.

Mr Moncrieff died around 03:30 BST on 6 May

Mr Lay and a colleague ran after the then 15-year-old and tackled him to the floor.

"We asked him where he'd put the knife. He said he had no knife.

"Eventually he admitted he'd put it in a bin round the corner," Mr Lay said.

The court heard how he gave no comment to the police in his interviews.

The boy's trial continues.