Teen 'set up' for murder of Sheffield dad amid 'plot to protect real killer'
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Lewis Bagshaw, 21, was allegedly chased and stabbed twice in the chest on July 21, 2019, before he was found on Piper Crescent, near the Southey Green area of Sheffield, and later died.
The 17-year-old, of no fixed abode, who cannot be named for legal reasons, Callum Ramsey, 18, of Batworth Drive, Shirecliffe, Jervaise Bennett, 20, of no fixed abode, and Nicki Humphrey, 42, of Avenue Grove, Harrogate, all deny murder.
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Hide AdOn Friday, Gul Nawaz Hussain QC, for the 17-year-old, told the jury his client was told "do and say nothing," and he was "reassured that those responsible would stand up."
"He expected them to tell the truth but they didn't, " he said, adding the boy showed " a foolish level of loyalty" while "his supposed friends were plotting and planning to throw him to the dogs and protect the one person really responsible."
Mr Bagshaw was murdered after a dispute arose following an alleged assault on Mr Bagshaw’s father Daniel Cutts in May, 2019, by the 17-year-old and Humphrey over a drugs dispute involving a van, said prosecutor Nicholas Campbell QC.
Mr Hussain said the boy hid from Mr Bagshaw earlier in the day of July 21, but Humphrey was "not the cowering kind."
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Hide Ad"Nicki Humphrey used a metal bar for the father and a knife for the son," he said. "He smoked or snorted whatever confidence he needed."
The 17-year-old said Nicki Humphrey stabbed Mr Bagshaw, but, "to his eternal shame and regret," ran after them "out of bravado and ignorance."
Mr Hussain said "something sinister like a drug deal" took place during the trial while Humphrey, Bennet and Ramsey were in the same room during breaks.
"Evidence was being traded and an agreement was being made," he said. "Nicki Humphrey would take back an account of the other three talking about the stabbing and in return Bennett and Ramsey would blame the 17-year-old and say Nicki Humphrey never got out of the car. But they left behind gaps they can't explain."
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Hide AdHe said the three took a "calculated business decision" because they were "far more valuable and well-connected" and the boy was "acceptable collateral damage."
Mr Hussain said the boy, who was 16 at the time of Mr Bagshaw's death, later told his uncle "I f***** him up", but this was not a confession.
"He was hit by the enormity of what had happened," he said.
The court heard the boy was only 12 when he was "groomed" into working for drug dealers in Southey Green, and "made to think he was valued and believing he was connected" as "any gullible, stupid 12-year-old would."
Humphrey has pleaded not guilty to inflicting grievous bodily harm with intent upon Mr Cutts. The 17-year-old has pleaded guilty to this same assault charge.
The trial continues.