Couple deny attacking man at Oswestry house

Mark Birch allegedly suffered broken ribs, a damaged eye and bruising during an incident in the back garden at the address, in Vrmwy Place, on July 15, 2017.

A jury was told that the alleged victim, who lives in a nearby property, was set upon by couple Wesley and Marion Riggins, who were visiting his neighbours James and Marion Pike.

Giving evidence under oath, both defendants told Shrewsbury Crown Court that they were not responsible for Mr Birch's injuries and that he had twice fallen over in the garden after drinking alcohol.

Marion Riggins, 46, said: "We were absolutely stunned by the allegations. We were not arrested and didn't appoint a solicitor. We made arrangements to come to Shrewsbury Police Station to be interviewed.

"I just wanted to tell my side of the story. I didn't feel I needed a solicitor because there was nothing to tell."

She said they had all been drinking at the premises.

Loud

Wesley Riggins, 50, said Mr Birch was talking "pretty loud" when he arrived at about 8pm.

"In my opinion, by his mannerism I thought he had had something to drink beforehand," he said.

"Mark was drinking away after he came and shortly afterwards he was nodding off. Jimmy said that's just Mark and that after a few drinks he falls asleep.

"I went upstairs for a couple of minutes and then came back down. I went out the back door and saw James just getting up and I saw Mark lying there looking out of it. I saw blood on the side of his head.

"We were trying to rouse him to get him up.

"He looked very agitated and started to flail his arms around," Wesley Riggins said.

Wesley Riggins and Marion Riggins, of Ayrshire, both deny an offence of unlawfully and maliciously inflicting grievous bodily harm against Mr Birch.

The trial continues.