Michael Phillips murder trial: Jury sent home for the night and will continue deliberations tomorrow

The jury started their deliberations on Friday, February 28, and they continued throughout Monday, March 2.

Seven men are on trial charged with the murder of the 39-year-old in his home in Rydal Street, Hartlepool, last year.

The defendants are: Lee Darby, 32, of Ridley Court; Neil Elliott, 44, of Briarfields 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.

Darby and Elliott also deny burglary and Elliott denies assault.

During a six-week trial the jury has heard evidence from the prosecution and each of the seven defendants’ barristers and then the summing up from His Honourable Justice Jacobs.

The judge finished his summing up and legal directions last Friday morning and the jurors were sent out to start their deliberations.

All seven men have denied carrying out any attack on Mr Phillips. Darby and Elliott admitted being in the living room at 38 Rydal Street, Small says he left straight away, Jackson said he only went into the porch area and Sean Musgrave, John Musgrave and Thope deny ever being in the house.

The trial has been adjourned until Tuesday, March 3.