A MAN who was attacked as his friend was beaten to death in the street has told a jury: "We didn't want any trouble."

Seven teenagers are on trial accused of the murder of Shane Tunney, and assaulting his 21-year-old pal Anthony Kirk.

His testimony came as police released CCTV images showing the moments before the 24-year-old was attacked.

Mr Kirk gave evidence at Teesside Crown Court today and recalled the early morning incident in Norton, near Stockton.

He told how he and Mr Tunney were at a cash machine on the High Street when they were pelted with rotten food from above.

He said they were annoyed about the filthy attack but were not looking to seek retribution against those responsible.

Mr Kirk was asked: “Did you get a sense that he wanted in some way to have it out with people who had been causing trouble.”

He told the court: "No. In the whole two years I’ve known Shane, he’s never had a fight with anyone.

"He’d never wanted to do anything like that. He wanted to know why they did it but that’s it.

Re-examining, prosecutor Andrew Stubbs, QC, asked Mr Kirk in a series of questions: “Were you and Shane looking for trouble?”

He answered: "No. We were looking for food."

He added: "He was more agitated about it, yes. He was more annoyed about it than I was. He was more vocal than me.

Mr Kirk described Mr Tunney as more confrontational than him and shouting more when the food was thrown from the Tesco roof.

He did not remember what Mr Tunney was saying, but denied that he shouted “come on if you think you’re hard enough”.

Brandon Pitt, Kieron Harry Davis, his cousin Kearan Terry Davis and Jake Douglas deny charges of murder a attempted grievous bodily harm with intent.

Three others - two aged 17 and one of 16, none of whom can be identified because of their ages - have also pleaded not guilty to the same charges.

Mr Tunney's attackers are said to have booted his head and body "as though they were kicking footballs at goal" in the assault on him and Mr Kirk.

Mr Kirk survived the onslaught, despite being beaten with a metal bar, but his pal died five weeks later in hospital without regaining consciousness.

A jury has been told that the death was "senseless" but some of the alleged attackers claimed the tragic victim "deserved it" for being a "cheeky c***".

The assault happened after Mr Tunney challenged a gang of teenagers who were sitting on the roof of a Tesco shop in the early hours of June 27 last year.

The trial continues.