Jury considers verdict in Newton Aycliffe murder trial

A JURY has retired to consider its verdict in the murder trial of a County Durham man accused of punching his victim during an altercation outside a pub.

Nathan Robbie Buckland, from Newton Aycliffe, denies the murder of Iain Lee, who died 11 days after being rendered unconscious in a bus stop, a short distance from The Roundhouse pub.

• Newton Aycliffe murder accused tells court he had 'turned a corner'

It has been alleged that Mr Buckland, of Lumley Close, punched Mr Lee, 31, causing him to fall back and hit his head on the road. He died in hospital on September 19 last year.

Mr Buckland, 25, who is a project manager for a construction company, is standing trial at Newcastle Crown Court.

The Roundhouse pub in Newton Aycliffe

Yesterday, final submissions were made to the jury, which is now considering its verdict.

During five days of evidence, the court heard both the defendant and Mr Lee had been socialising at The Roundhouse on the evening of Friday, September 7.

In the early hours of the next day, violence broke out between a group of men, involving Mr Lee, who was said to have been shouting and making threats.

• Newton Aycliffe man died after being 'felled with single punch'

Mr Buckland then got involved and CCTV footage shows him pursuing Mr Lee before the pair come together.

Toby Hedworth, QC, prosecuting, says Mr Buckland punches Mr Lee, sending him to the ground but the defendant denied striking the blow.

He told the court he had “feared” for Mr Lee, and wanted to calm him down and had tried to grab his collar, falling over his leg and causing both men to fall to the ground.

Mr Hedworth said: “He was not acting in defence of anyone, he was on the attack.

“He was acting unlawfully and his unlawful use of violence caused the death of Iain Lee and at the very least, he is guilty of the offence of manslaughter.

“The way he put him down, he intended more. He intended to do Iain Lee really serious harm. If you are sure of that, then he is guilty of murder.”

• Murder accused was 'trying to diffuse dangerous situation'

Robert Woodcock, QC, defending, described the incident as a “tragic accident”.

He said: “There is no reliable evidence that could drive you to the conclusion that what the defendant intended Iain Lee was really serious bodily harm.

“The death of Iain Lee, tragic as it is, is the product of a mistake by the defendant Nathan Buckland in pursuing him.

“It was not the product of an unlawful blow or action by the defendant.”

The trial continues.