Walsall teenager Ben Morutare punched before stabbing in Smethwick
A teenager was being kicked and punched on the ground in a fracas shortly before he was fatally stabbed, a jury has been told.
An eye-witness on the night tragic 16-year-old Ben Morutare was killed told the jury at Wolverhampton Crown Court yesterday how Ben had become involved in an altercation shortly before he was stabbed.
He told how he was at the Smethwick Old Guards and Comrades Club for a friend's birthday on July 28 last year when a fight started, and had been introduced to Ben that night.
He said he saw Ben having a row with a dark skinned male and a girl in the entrance of the club, and later saw him involved in a fight outside. Mr Roomes said there were around 15 or 20 people involved but Ben appeared to be on his own, or with only one other person.
He said he saw a Chinese male punching and kicking Ben, who then ended up 'over a little fence' and on the ground on Fenton Street. He added: "They were powerful punches." He said after the Chinese male stopped he saw blood on his hands and his T-shirt.
Mr Roomes said he later saw Ben lying on the floor in a grassy area, with blood on the bottom half of his body.
Andy Ly, 18, of Fulmer Walk, and Omar Robinson, 19, of Rann Close, both Ladywood, deny murder.
They, along with five others, also deny violent disorder. The trial continues.
