Defendant in Ipswich murder case 'bought one-way ticket before arrest'

Raymond Quigley, known as James, from Wymondham, Norfolk, died in what police described as a "targeted attack"

A man charged with murder bought a one-way plane ticket to Kenya before his arrest, a court has heard.

Raymond Quigley, 18, known as James, of Wymondham, Norfolk, was stabbed to death on Westgate Street, Ipswich, on 17 January.

Alfie Hammett, 19, of Rushmere St Andrew, Suffolk, and Joshua Howell, 18, of Ipswich, deny murder.

Ipswich Crown Court heard Mr Howell had transferred £1,000 to an account and bought a ticket to Nairobi.

The prosecution said he did not have a phone when he was arrested four days after the stabbing, while Mr Hammett had returned his to its factory settings.

Det Con Samantha Abbot described the lengthy investigation that followed the stabbing.

CCTV showed that Mr Howell held a machete and chased Mr Quigley's friend into a sports store on the high street, the court heard.

Prosecutor Andrew Jackson said Mr Howell provided "an intimidating presence" and "prevented Mr Quigley's friends from intervening to help".

Mr Howell said he was simply in the wrong place at the wrong time.

The trial is expected to continue until January 2024.