Overview
- Prosecutors, speaking Tuesday at Preston Crown Court, said Luke Harden was punched to the ground and then kicked and stamped in the head, neck, and face.
- Home Office pathologist Dr Charles Wilson described extensive fractures and brain swelling and said the bruising pattern fit stamping, with no defensive injuries on Harden.
- CCTV and witness accounts shown in court traced both men from a Halloween party at Rosemount Working Men's Club onto Newchurch Road shortly before midnight.
- Jurors saw messages said to be from Bhekisani Matabiswana's phone that mentioned plans to flee and statements about beating someone who died.
- Police detained Matabiswana at Manchester Airport two days after the incident as he tried to leave the UK, and he denies murder as the trial proceeds.