Overview
- In a closing speech at Teesside Crown Court, the prosecutor said the group armed themselves with machetes and a BB gun, rammed a VW Passat, and launched a coordinated assault while someone shouted about missing “gear.”
- CCTV shown to the jury captured four hooded men surrounding the car before windows were smashed and both occupants were attacked at Orme Court in North Ormesby.
- A Home Office pathologist said a machete wound severed a main artery in Anthony Dickons’ thigh, which led to heavy blood loss, cardiac arrest, brain injury, and his death days later in hospital.
- All four defendants deny murder and wounding with intent; Morgan Caldwell has pleaded guilty to manslaughter and grievous bodily harm, but the Crown rejected the plea and he remains on trial for murder.
- Evidence presented includes travel to Scotland and an early ferry to Belfast before two arrests on November 11, plus phone searches for “non‑extradition countries,” while one defendant, Daniel Simpson, testified he was in the wrong place and did not intend to help.