INTERVIEWED by police, David Tushingham initially denied all involvement in an assault but later admitted giving Garwell a slap to ‘sort his head out’ at Charlotte Court, said Michael Chambers QC, prosecuting.
Cunnah exercised his right to make no comment, but the prosecutor alleged DC Kevin Lee overheard him call one of his co-accused ‘a snake and a grass’.
He said Cunnah had been corresponding with a female prosecution witness, who had ‘a soft spot for him’ and can’t be named.
In a letter dated October 16, he appeared to be agreeing with what she said in her statement that he had kicked the deceased, causing him to drop to the floor.
One defendant, who can’t be named, denied all involvement. Another defendant who also can’t be named admitted punching the deceased twice on the walls.
Mr Chambers said there had been complications during Mr Garwell’s treatment at Liverpool’s Walton hospital – such as intracranial pressure, bronchial pneumonia and propofol infusion syndrome – but two doctors would give evidence that the primary cause of death was the head injury.
The court also heard from the deceased’s friend, Scott Murphy, formerly of Blacon, who said Mr Garwell was in a ‘good mood’ prior to the alleged attack but told him his girlfriend had lost a baby the day before.
He witnessed Mr Garwell smoking cannabis all day and swap some of his ‘weed’ for six ecstasy tablets, which he took before starting to act ‘a bit weird’.
Mr Murphy had to go home to Connah’s Quay but his friend refused to go with him. Mr Murphy later called Tushingham to ask after his friend and was told ‘one of the lads’ had hit Mr Garwell.
The case continues
