TWO men accused of murdering a drug user savagely beat their victim, before dragging him into the street and leaving him for dead, a court heard.

The trial of Christopher Hills and Paul Watson has heard both men hid in a house yards from the crime scene and fled when police tried to force entry hours later by jumping from a bathroom window.

Nick Dry, prosecuting at Newcastle Crown Court, said 36-year-old Michael Price had been discovered after an anonymous 999 call at 5.30am on January 13.

Both defendants, he said, were involved in an attempt to evade arrest, but were captured following a police pursuit later in the day.

The jury was told Mr Price was found outside a house on Victor Street, in Chester-le-Street, with severe head injuries.

He died in hospital 11 days later.

Mr Dry said: “Forensic evidence points to a sustained attack on Mr Price in the front room at a time he was on the floor.

“The blood deposits are in keeping with that.

“Mr Price’s blood was also found on the shoes of both defendants.

“He was dragged from the house and, it would seem, was dumped in the road.”

Mr Dry told the jury drug misuse was at the centre of the case.

Mr Price was a drug user and traces of cocaine and MDMA, or ecstasy, among other substances, were found in his system.

When Hills was arrested police found 350 ecstasy tablets with ‘Netflix’ and ‘chill’ logos on them worth £1,500 in his possession, along with £193 in cash.

Detectives also found a knuckle duster, with Watson’s DNA and Mr Price’s blood on it, along with a knife and sheath, in the home where they had allegedly been hiding out.

During his arrest, Hills offered to fight the detective chasing him, before punching a retired police officer who had tried to help.

Watson, who was subdued with CS spray, initially made no comment in interview but, following Mr Price’s death, told police another man, who he refused to name, carried out the attack after a knife was pulled by the dead man.

Hills refused to answer questions.

Mr Dry said: “The Crown contends that they were in it together, jointly attacking him as he lay defenceless on the floor, each encouraging the other before then dragging him outside, dumping him in the street, leaving him for dead.”

Hill, 31, of Gregory Terrace, Houghton-le Spring, and Watson, 30, of The Crescent, Chester-le-Street, both deny murder.

The trial continues.