Owen Dunn: Killers did not act in self-defence, court hears

Owen Dunn collapsed and died shortly after being attacked

Two teenagers accused of murdering an 18-year-old "were not acting in self defence", a court has heard.

Owen Dunn 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.

In his summing up, prosecutor Michael Burrows KC said the "evidence of the eyewitnesses doesn't fit with the account of the defendants".

The fatal stabbing "wasn't an accident", he told Bristol Crown Court.

Family members wept in the public gallery as the jury was told the defendants had both repeatedly lied about the incident, saying their actions were not deliberate.

'Aggression and power'

Mr Burrows said: "They both knew the knives, if used, would cause at least serious injury.

"They both used their weapons with aggression and power.

"Striking out with a weapon like that can only cause death or serious injury."

He said that Owen Dunn "hadn't reached for any weapon - on the contrary he had tried to dodge them".

Earlier in the trial, the jury heard Mr Dunn suffered "catastrophic" injuries when he was "swiped" with a large blade.

Mr Dunn had been on his way to meet his girlfriend when he encountered the teenagers

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

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 both pleaded guilty to possession of a bladed weapon.

The trial continues.