Three teenagers go on trial for man's knife murder 'shared on Snapchat'

Jesse Reaney, 18, Charlie Wilcock,19, and Layton Lightfoot, 18, appeared at Teesside Crown Court accused of killing David Cuthbert.

Mr Cuthbert, 50, was found dead inside his home in Egglescliffe Close in Hardwick, Stockton, on Saturday, January 10.

He had suffered a fatal knife wound to the chest which penetrated his heart.

The jury was shown a video of part of the attack allegedly shared by Wilcox on Snapchat which showed someone holding a bloodstained knife towards Mr Cuthbert cowering in a chair.

The prosecution claim the video shows Reaney, of Lowthian Road, Hartlepool, standing over Mr Cuthbert while someone is heard to shout “This is what happens”.

Another video allegedly showed Reaney and the two others at the back of Mr Cuthbertson’s house trying to get in through a boarded up window.

Outlining the prosecution’s case on Tuesday, Kama Melly KC said: “The prosecution’s case is that these three men were on a mission, using serious violence to obtain money or drugs to enforce a debt.

“The prosecution say that these three men are jointly responsible for that murder.”

Mr Cuthbert was found slumped inside the property by his family at around 7pm that night. He had died from catastrophic blood loss.

The jury heard he had suffered a number of other non life-threatening injuries, including stab wounds to his forearm and leg.

Police and paramedics attended but Mr Cuthbert was pronounced dead at the scene.

The prosecution say various pieces of evidence put the three accused together before and after the murder, including CCTV and Snapchat messages and videos.

In one message, Wilcox is alleged to have described stabbing someone. When the recipient asked why, Wilcox is alleged to have replied: “Owed dough.”

The video of the attack on Mr Cuthbert was viewed by members of the public and quickly came to the attention of the police, said Ms Melly.

After the alleged murder, the prosecution say the three teenagers left the scene in a taxi without a thought for Mr Cuthbert’s condition.

Reaney, together with Lightfoot, of Stockwith Close, and Wilcox, of Yarm Lane, both Middlesbrough, all deny murder.

The trial continues.