Brocklesby murder trial - latest

Lisa Cooke, who had just moved into a flat in Brooklyn Drive, Cleckheaton, with Peter Brocklesby, 50, gave evidence against the man accused of murdering him on May 7 this year.

20-year-old Richard Oldroyd, of Great Pond Street, Ravensthorpe, denies murdering Mr Brocklesby but has admitted stabbing him in self-defence.

The prosecution alleges that an argument at a party at another flat in Brooklyn Drive escalated into fighting in the street, where Mr Brocklesby was stabbed twice in the back.

The trial, which had to be restarted last week due to the presiding judge falling ill, is expected to last well into next week.

Miss Cooke told the jury at Leeds Crown Court how the couple’s young puppy had escaped from the ir flat, after partygoer Gareth Lightowler came to the door asking for Mr Brocklesby’s help in settling a dispute at the party. She said that when she went outside, she saw Mr Brocklesby had been stabbed.

She said: “I just saw Pete coming towards me and then he fell down. People started to resuscitate him. There was about 18 people trying to get my fella back.”

The trial continues.