THE uncle of two men who were convicted of a brutal axe murder has gone on trial accused of intimidating witnesses connected to the police investigation.

Harry Brogden, whose nephews Anthony Middleton and David Sowerby were last month sentenced to life imprisonment for killing former boxer Mark Denton, is said to have angrily confronted one prosecution witness at her home.

He is also accused of stopping and staring through the windows of another woman.

Mr Denton, 31, at one time one of the country’s best amateur middleweight boxers, suffered fatal injuries after being hit a number of times with a camping axe at a New Year’s Eve ‘rave’ party in Hartlepool last December.

Mr Brogden, 40, of Howard Street, Hartlepool, denies two counts of witness intimidation between January 17 and 27 this year and on January 28.

Prosecutor Martin Towers told the jury: “There is a very significant background to this, a man, Mark Denton, was murdered and two men, Anthony Middleton and David Sowerby, were found guilty of murdering him.

“They are nephews of the defendant Mr Brogden. The Crown says Mr Brogden attempted to intimidate some of the witnesses in relation to the Mark Denton murder investigation.”

Mr Towers said the defendant was visibly angry during the doorstep confrontation, making a threat to punch the complainant’s partner.

He said: “She was frightened by the implications of the visit and what was said to her.”

Giving evidence from behind a screen the woman said Mr Brogden was shouting and pointing his finger.

She said: “He seemed pretty angry. I was shocked and very scared.”

Mr Towers said Mr Brogden admitted going to the complainant’s home, but insisted it was to do with another matter.

He denied making threats and claimed to be unaware of statements that had been made in relation to the murder investigation.

Mr Brogden, who is remanded in custody, also denied the allegations made by the other complainant who says she was stared at while inside her home.

The trial continues.