Man murdered during dispute in garden, court told

A man died after being stabbed in a front garden during a dispute which was possibly related to a debt, a court has heard.

Greg Marshall, 35, suffered fatal wounds to his neck, chest and abdomen in the altercation in York on 17 August.

Ian Franklin, 33, denies Mr Marshall's murder and his trial began at Leeds Crown Court on Wednesday.

The court was told that Mr Marshall ran away from the scene on Roche Avenue but collapsed and died in an alleyway a short time later.

A second man, Jason Rhodes, 33, of Union Terrace, York, is also charged with possession of a bladed article in relation to the incident and has pleaded not guilty.

Prosecuting, Rupert Doswell KC told the jury that Mr Rhodes and the victim had gone to Mr Franklin's house in a visit connected to the settling of a debt.

Before they arrived, Mr Rhodes asked Mr Franklin to pay the debt and asked if he had any "dip", referring to cocaine.

The court heard Mr Marshall and Mr Rhodes had been captured on CCTV cycling down Bellfarm Avenue and Roche Avenue at 04:30 BST, towards Mr Franklin's house.

The prosecution alleged Mr Franklin had chosen to leave his house and confront the men, bringing a knife and machete with him.

Mr Doswell said Mr Franklin had advanced towards Mr Marshall and a struggle ensued, whereby Mr Marshall managed to twist the machete out of Mr Franklin's hand and throw it away.

Mr Rhodes is then alleged to have picked up the same machete and headed towards the garden.

He was urged by Mr Marshall to put the blade through Mr Franklin's window.

The court heard Mr Marshall, who had been unarmed, was then stabbed several times with a knife by Mr Franklin.

He ran to an alleyway, where he stumbled and collapsed.

A neighbour performed chest compressions after he went into cardiac arrest and Mr Rhodes, who had been stabbed in the arm, also stayed with him.

An ambulance and police were called to the scene and Mr Franklin, who had not been injured, was arrested later that day.

Mr Rhodes was also visited by police in hospital and was described as being "abusive", telling officers: "I'm not a grass".

The trial continues.

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