A TEENAGER accused of a violent unprovoked punch attack on two men outside a West Cumbria pub has told a jury he went home to bed before the incident occurred.
Mark Trainor, 18, is on trial at Carlisle Crown Court. Trainor denies unlawfully and maliciously causing Nicky Walsh grievous bodily harm, and denies an actual bodily harm assault on Matthew Nicol. Both charges arise out of an incident outside the Lifeboat Inn, Harrington, just before midnight on March 15 last year.
Mr Walsh suffered a double jaw fracture, severe bruising and cuts when he was knocked to the ground and punched repeatedly, while Mr Nicol was also felled and sustained injuries which included a cut to his chin.
Eyewitness Esha Denwood has told jurors she’d known Trainor – then aged 17 – for around five years, and said she saw him attack the two men.
But giving evidence this morning (WED), Trainor, of High Close, Harrington, denied being the man who attacked the pair. He spoke of being drunk having gone to the pub to attend his best friend’s surprise 18th birthday party.
“Between nine and 10 o’clock, I had enough drink by then so I went home,” the teen told jurors. “I went to bed and I didn’t get up until the next morning.”
He denied being involved in any violence, saying: “It was my best friend’s party. There was no conflict. We were all just there to have a good time.
Trainor had answered no questions when interviewed by police, explaining: “I didn’t want (to be) involved.”
“I am an honest person,” he said. “I don’t want to go to jail for something I haven’t done. Don’t get me wrong I’m no angel, but I didn’t do it. I wouldn’t stand here and lie to anyone.”
The trial continues.
