Thu, 18 Jan 2018
Jonas Hankin QC has opened the case for the prosecution in the high profile murder trial of aspiring model James Brindley. He leads Harpreet Sandhu.
Aaron Kharod, 21, of Walsall Road, Aldridge and a 17-year-old boy - who cannot be named for legal reasons - both deny murdering James on June 24 last year in Aldridge, near Walsall.
While the teen admits stabbing 26-year-old James, claiming it was in self-defence, Kharod denies playing any unlawful part in the incident.
Opening the case at Birmingham Crown Court, Mr Hankin QC alleged the teenager brandished a knife before delivering the fatal blow.
He said: “The prosecution’s case is that the defendants were the aggressors and that Mr Brindley did no more than what was reasonable to protect himself
“Mr Brindley posed no threat to these defendants. Aaron Kahrod is jointly responsible for Mr Brindley’s death. The defendants acted together and were of the same mind.”
Mr Hankin added that a post-mortem examination confirmed a blade had "caused a fatal injury to the heart".
The trial continues. Follow the link to read a report of the trial so far on the BBC’s website: http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-birmingham-42724121
Jonas Hankin QC and Harpreet Sandhu are both members of the Crime Group at No5.
