Suspect blames pal for Shrewsbury busker Ben Bebbington death murder jury told

Bradley Davies put the blame for Mr Bebbington's death in the late-night assault in September last year on his co-accused, 22-year-old Stewart Doran, who has already admitted a murder charge.

During cross-examination at Birmingham Crown Court yesterday, 18-year-old Davies said he accepted being involved when asked if he was responsible for Mr Bebbington' s death.

"Yes, I suppose I was involved, but I did not intend to cause him serious harm or kill him. I'm not guilty of murder. I did not want that to happen," he said.

Shown a video picture of 43-year-old Mr Bebbington's facial injuries, Davies accepted that an imprint on the side of the victim's face was from his Nike trainer, which was burnt and later found dumped in a hedgerow.

When asked by prosecutor Mr Chris Hehir why he had not just walked away when Doran was attacking Mr Bebbington, the defendant said he feared that Doran would beat him up.

He told the jury that he was frightened of Doran, who had punched him before when he stepped in to a dispute between Doran and one of his friends.

Davies claimed that Doran was known as a bully and pushed people around. The jury had been told that Doran had convictions for assault and threatening behaviour.

During his evidence earlier Davies claimed that Doran had told him to stamp on Mr Bebbington, so he did but lightly, but then Doran had told him to "stamp harder", which he did.

"He forced me. I had no choice. I thought he would attack me again. He was out of control. I did not think the victim would die," he said.

When asked by Mr Hehir why he had not just kicked Mr Bebbington on the body, the defendant said because Doran had told him to stamp on the victim's head.

Earlier, Home Office pathologist Dr Olaf Biedrzycki told the jury that Mr Bebbington died from a subdural haematoma – acute bleeding on the brain. He said that that there was evidence of multiple stamping to the head, but said any one of the kicks to the head and face could have caused the injury to the brain.

The court has heard that Mr Bebbington, of Beaufort Green, Harlescott, was found by police on a canal towpath at 1am on September 7. He died later that morning from his injuries.

Davies, of Westering, Ditherington, denies murder. Doran, of Bainbridge Green, Harlescott, has pleaded guilty to murder and will be sentenced later.

The trial continues.