Brothers tell of robbery row on night of Haslingden killing (From Lancashire Telegraph)

Brothers tell of robbery row on night of Haslingden killing

10:12am Wednesday 18th January 2012 in Haslingden By Sam Chadderton, Reporter

TWO brothers have recalled the moment they saw a teenage friend stabbed to death in their house.

Robert and Shane West were at home in Princess Street, Haslingden, on Friday, August 5 into the early hours of Saturday with other members of their family and Sean Fell.

But when their close pal Declan Eastwood, 17, of Hillside Road, called round, he immediately took offence to Fell being there, accusing him of being involved in stealing his wallet weeks earlier.

Giving evidence at Preston Crown Court, younger brother Robert said Mr Eastwood confronted Fell, of George Street, also Haslingden.

Robert said Fell had denied Mr Eastwood’s allegations and hadn’t retaliated.

He also claimed to have caught Fell going through the knife drawer minutes before the stabbing.

Robert said: “I asked him ‘What are you doing?’.

He said ‘I’m only having a look at your knives mate’. So I said ‘Don’t ever do that again’.”

Robert said the row between Fell and Mr Eastwood continued in the kitchen.

He said: “I heard Deccy go ‘Aaaaagh’. I moved him into the front room then Sean came running in. He punched him first then started stabbing him all over. I was shocked. I was screaming ‘he’s got a knife’.

“Before he left he said, ‘Any of you come near me and I’ll stab you’.”

Richard Marks, defending, accused Robert West of lying to protect his friend Mr Eastwood.

Shane West said he saw Mr Eastwood headbutt then hit Fell.

He then saw Mr Eastwood stagger back into the living room before Fell ‘stabbed him repeatedly’.

Fell denies murder, claiming self defence and diminished responsibility.

(Proceeding)
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