Owen Dunn killed by pair 'looking for someone' to attack, trial hears

The jury were told Owen Dunn was attacked by two youths wearing balaclavas and armed with machetes

A teenager was murdered by two balaclava-clad youths "looking for someone" to attack, a court was told.

Owen Dunn, 18, died after being stabbed in Swindon on 4 December last year.

A 15-year-old boy, who cannot be named for legal reasons, and 18-year-old Tyler Hunt, both deny murder and manslaughter.

On the opening day of their trial, the jury heard Mr Dunn suffered "catastrophic" injuries when he was "swiped" with a large blade.

The jury at Bristol Crown Court heard the 15-year-old was riding with Mr Hunt when they dropped their bikes to block the path and brandished machetes.

Mr Dunn had been on his way to meet his girlfriend when the teenagers tried to "slash" him in the chest, prosecutors said.

He suffered one wound just below the armpit, which punctured his heart.

Owen Dunn rode off a short distance after being stabbed before collapsing in the street

The court was told the 15-year-old admitted he inflicted the fatal wound and Mr Hunt also now accepted he was there.

But both deny murder and manslaughter on the grounds of self-defence. The defendants have pleaded guilty to possession of a bladed article.

During a police interview, both defendants had initially denied any involvement.

Opening the prosecution case, Michael Burrows KC argued both defendants carried out the murder as they "acted together and shared an intention to kill or at least cause really serious injury".

"The prosecution say the evidence says they were out looking for something," he added.

"They got off bikes, got out knives, and as Owen Dunn approached on his bike they attacked him, stabbed him to the chest."

The defendants then rode away at speed on electric bikes.

Shortly before his death, Owen had sent a message to his girlfriend to say he was leaving to meet her

Mr Burrows said Mr Dunn also briefly rode off on his bike from the scene before "crashing to the ground".

On-lookers rushed to try and help him but it was "clear he was fatally injured" and was declared dead within an hour.

The barrister said the pair stayed together for more than an hour after the attack and their movements were caught on CCTV and backed up by GPS on Mr Hunt's electronic tag.

The court was told Mr Dunn was also wearing a balaclava and found to be carrying a machete, but that none of the witnesses said he got it out.

Mr Burrows explained witnesses at the scene described seeing the defendants with their knives out.

The weapons have not been recovered.

The defendants are on trial at Bristol Crown Court

He added: "The prosecution say they both got rid of weapons - you will want to consider why they got rid [of them]."

Mr Burrows also outlined some of the witness testimony that will be heard during the trial.

He said one described the pair as "obviously looking for someone".

Another said Mr Dunn was "just riding and hadn't done anything wrong".

The trial is expected to last up to three weeks.