Jury warned medical evidence lacking in Ismaaeel Rehman trial

In their closing speeches at Stafford Crown Court yesterday, QCs Mr Stephen Linehan and Ms Rachel Brand accepted their clients Jason Noto and Robert Jones had attacked the victim, Ismaaeel Rehman.

But Ms Brand told the court it was impossible to say who or what had caused the serious head injuries to Mr Rehman outside Noto's flat in Powis Place, Dawley Bank, in July 2009.

The injuries triggered epilepsy, with Mr Rehman dying 18 months later, following a seizure at his father's home.

But Ms Brand, for Jones, said: "One possibility is that the serious injuries to the left-hand side of Mr Rehman's head were caused by a baseball bat swung by Mr Jones, of course.

"But there are other probabilities here which simply cannot be discounted."

She told the jury medical experts had conceded earlier in the trial the injuries could have been suffered by Mr Rehman falling and hitting his head on concrete cobbles after being struck with a wooden pole by Noto.

"On the medical evidence it is hard to be sure one way or the other."

Mr Linehan claimed Noto had been 'targeted' by a gang including Mr Rehman, from Dudley, over a period of time – and alleged police did nothing to protect him.

Arguing Noto was acting in self-defence, Mr Linehan said: "On that night a gang of thugs drove the 20-plus miles from Dudley in a van, arriving well after 11pm at night.

"They were there attempting to force their way into that house and rob that man (Noto). They went mob-handed and they were armed."

He concluded: "This is a case of two frightened, panicked men confronted by others who meant them harm."

Pointing at the two in the dock, he added: "It's put them in there and in my submission it shouldn't have. But you (the jury) will work out where the truth lies."

Noto, 24, of Powis Place, and Jones, also 24, of Webb Crescent, Dawley, both deny murder.

The trial continues.