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Sandwell man 'killed in row over cider'

[gallery] A man was beaten to death because he drank someone else's Frosty Jack's cider, a court heard.

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Victim Barry Shillam, from Smethwick

Andrea Jones, John Scott and Gurminder Singh Sidhu are all accused of murdering Barry Shillam after a drinking session. Mr Andrew Smith QC, prosecuting, said all four people were part of a group drinking in Victoria Park, Smethwick, on July 17 last year before returning to Jones's flat on Brook Street, Smethwick.

At around 11pm that night, the three defendants became angry after returning from a neighbour's flat and seeing Mr Shillam drinking cider which belonged to Jones, Wolverhampton Crown Court heard yesterday.

Mr Smith added: "There is no dispute Barry Shillam was unlawfully killed as a result of injuries he was caused during a sustained and brutal attack."

He said Jones, aged 39, began to punch Mr Shillam. Sidhu, aged 40, of St Matthews Road, Smethwick, then joined in, before Scott, aged 46 and also of Brook Street also became involved.

During the attack, Mr Shillam suffered injuries, including a large tear to his spleen, torn blood vessels in his bowel, a fractured rib and internal bruising.

Despite surgeons' efforts to save him at the Queen Elizabeth Hospital Birmingham, he died from his injuries.

All three defendants deny murder, each saying there were not involved in the attack. The trial continues.

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