Michael Phillips murder trial: Neighbour denies joining in attack on friend

Anthony Small, 40, told a jury at Teesside Crown Court where he and six others are on trial for murder, that he knocked on drug user Mr Phillips’ front door in Rydal Street on the night of Monday, June 10 last year.

He said he was trying to help Niramax boss Neil Elliott, 44, identify people on CCTV footage in relation to a burglary and was told by another neighbour in the street that Mr Phillips might know who they were.

The court heard how Small, who also took drugs, lived over the road from Mr Phillips and classed him as a friend.

He denied knowing Mr Phillips was going to get hurt.

Jolyon Perks, prosecuting, put it to Small: "That's why you knocked on the door because you were hiding the fact that what was going to happen when they got into the house was that they were going to be beaten weren't they?"

Small denied it adding: "No-one was supposed to get assaulted in that house."

He said he, Elliott, and Lee Darby entered the house calmly, denying suggestions they ‘barged in’.

Small said he was going to go to see Mr Phillips anyway because he was owed £10 by Mr Phillips’ housemate Lee Hardwell and to retrieve a pair of trainers.

He said he left when Elliott punched Hardwell and Darby began arguing with Mr Phillips.

Talking of the guilt he felt, Small said: “Don't you think I feel guilty I ran away like a coward and my friend died?

"I blame myself for knocking on the door.”

But he denied taking part in the attack adding: “I haven't murdered nobody. I haven't hit nobody."

Darby, 32, of Ridley Court, Hartlepool, who denies murder, chose not to give evidence in his defence.

Also accused of murder are: Gary Jackson, 31, of The Darlings, Hart; John Musgrave, 54, and Sean Musgrave, 30, both of Wordsworth Avenue; and Craig Thorpe, 36, of Young Street.

The trial continues.