AN ALLEGED murder victim was attacked shortly after intervening when one of his drinking pals urinated on a landlady’s dog, Chester Crown Court heard.

David Lavender, 37, from Lache, was so upset about the drunken incident at The Grosvenor Arms in Handbridge that he confronted the two men who were asked to leave by landlady Pat Wilde.

The pair wandered off to nearby Edgar’s Field where it is alleged they viciously assaulted Mr Lavender, who was drunk, when he later left the pub of his own accord.

Glen Robert Baker, 32, of Pulford Road, Blacon, and Wesley Dennis Rowlands, 30, Chevron Close, Blacon, both deny murder on the evening of Sunday, May 20 last year, in what the prosecution describe as a joint enterprise.

It is said Mr Lavender died at the ‘hands and feet’ of the defendants in a prolonged and violent assault.

Prior to the urination incident, prosecutors say the picture is one of three men enjoying a few drinks – Baker and the deceased had been on a city centre pub crawl – and getting on well together.

Prosecutor Andrew O’Byrne QC said: “This is the first time there’s an indication there might be a problem between the three of them. It may be this exchange with Mr Lavender led ultimately to the attack.”

Witnesses Christian Allen and Daniel Bradshaw heard ‘drunk and aggressive voices’ in the park and said two of them ‘seemed to be pushing one another’.

Another witness came across the defendants standing over Mr Lavender who seemed to be unconscious and saw blood on his head.

He returned with chef Martin Phillips from the nearby Ship Inn but Mr Phillips could find no pulse. An ambulance was called but Mr Lavender was pronounced dead at the scene at 11.25pm.

The defendants got a taxi to a flat belonging to Rowlands’ uncle where Rowlands apparently asked Baker if he was sure Mr Lavender was dead. Mr Baker replied he had felt for a pulse but couldn’t find one.

Mr O’Byrne added: “Later Glen Baker said he hit Mr Lavender once and, at that, Mr Rowlands said it was he, Rowlands, that killed the man.”

The men were traced to the flat and arrested the next day.

Worrying signs were also evident on the fatal night in a mobile phone call between Baker and his sister Casey Mitchell, the ex-partner of Mr Lavender with whom she had a son.

“Miss Mitchell was concerned when Mr Baker told her that Rowlands and ‘Lavo’, the nickname for Lavender, were fighting and that he, Mr Baker, couldn’t get Mr Lavender off the ground,” said Mr O’Byrne.

A post mortem showed marks on Mr Lavender’s body consistent with stamping. There was a distinct pattern of bruises on his chin and left side of his head.

Analysis showed the footwear worn by Rowlands could have caused those marks. Blood matching the deceased was also found on the clothing and footwear of Rowlands.

The prosecutor said: “It may be you conclude one man played a greater role than the other but the prosecution contend both are equally guilty provided you are sure they are acting together.”

The case continues.