Michael Phillips murder trial: Businessman denies any role in murder of Hartlepool man

Mr Phillips, who was 39, died following an attack where he received more than 50 injuries in a property in Rydal Street, Hartlepool.

The seven men are: Lee Darby, 32, of Ridley Court; Neil Elliott, 44, of Briarfield Close; Gary Jackson, 31, of The Darlings in Hart Village; John Musgrave, 54, of Wordsworth Avenue; Sean Musgrave, 30, also of Wordsworth Avenue; Anthony Small, 40, of Rydal Street, and Craig Thorpe, 36, of Young Street.

Jackson gave evidence today, Thursday, February 13.

He said he gone to Rydal Street to meet Neil Elliott to view CCTV footage after Elliott’s daughter’s car was stolen.

Jackson said he saw Neil Elliott, Lee Darby, Anthony Small, John Musgrave and Craig Thorpe leave a house: "They went towards what I now know to be 38 Rydal Street."

He told the court that Lee Darby and two of the others had gone into the house, then Darby brought a dog out.

Asked by his barrister John Elvidge what he could see in the lounge of the house, he replied: "I could see Lee Darby punching someone.

"Neil was arguing with somebody. It was along the lines of 'Was it you?' I could hear him say 'No.'

"The lad was flustered, he was saying 'I am not from the area.'

Jackson said he had heard Lee Darby say 'If it is not you on the CCTV, then who is it?'

Asked: "What did you suppose had just happened at Number 38?", he replied: "I thought I had seen a fight. "

Asked: "Did you think anybody was, or might have been, seriously injured?" Jackson said: “No.”

Caroline Goodwin QC, for Darby asked: "Who are you protecting?" He replied: "Nobody."

Asked by prosecutor Nicholas Johnson QC : "Was it your plan, with Mr Elliott, to find CCTV, not give it to the police, because you knew he was going to deal out his own brand of street justice?" he said: "I never had any intention of going to find people. I did not look for CCTV in the first place."

Proceeding.