Uncle ‘feared repercussions’, Telford street fight trial told
A man who was allegedly hit in the head with an axe in a Telford street fight at first told police he had tripped over a brick – because he feared repercussions for him and his family, a court heard.
Shaun Stevens, 40, was giving evidence at the trial of seven men accused of injuring him and his nephew, Nathan Stevens, 25, on June 29.
The trial at Shrewsbury Crown Court relates to a fight in Bank Way, Ketley Bank, that broke out between two groups of men and ended with Shaun Stevens bleeding from the head. Along with Nathan Stevens and two other men, Shaun Stevens went to the house of his sister nearby and the police were called.
The court heard he told police he tripped on a brick and swore at the officers.
An ambulance arrived shortly after to take him to hospital.
Under cross-examination, Mr Stevens said: “I was in a rage. I told the police I fell on a brick because I didn’t want any more trouble.
“At the time I was just thinking about getting my head sorted out.”
The case so far:
Declan Taverner, 18, of Fifth Avenue, Ketley Bank; Andrew Prempeh, 21, of Burford, Brookside; Tyler Love, 21, of Burtondale, Brookside; Neon Manu, 19, and Kyle Watson, 22, both of no fixed abode; Travis Perkin, 24, of Church Street, in Rhosllanerchrugog, Wrexham; and Ryan Ginty, 24, of Greater Manchester, all deny offences of causing grievous bodily harm with intent to Nathan Stevens and Shaun Stevens. They also deny violent disorder.
Nathan Stevens previously told jurors that he blamed himself for what happened to his uncle, who suffered facial fractures including a damaged right eye socket that required an operation.
He also said he thought his uncle had arranged for him to fight an older man.
Nathan Stevens said was not expecting to fight Declan Taverner who allegedly turned up in a group of up to 10 men armed with weapons.
The trial continues.
