Bodmin murder trial: Knife bought day before attack, jury told

A man accused of murdering a Cornish rugby player bought the knife used to kill him the day before the attack, a court has heard.

Michael Riddiough-Allen, 32, died in Bodmin on 30 April 2023 after a "street brawl" outside Eclipse Nightclub.

Jake Hill, 25, Tia Taylor, 22, and Chelsea Powell, 22, all from Bodmin, were charged with his murder.

Truro Crown Court heard Mr Hill bought the knife from a friend the day before for £20.

A jury heard the trio had been inside the club before Mr Hill picked up a hunting knife hidden in a hedge.

It is alleged he used it to stab or slash six victims after a fight involving various groups of people broke out in the street shortly after 03:00.

The court earlier heard Mr Riddiough-Allen had tried to break up the disturbance before he suffered a fatal wound to his stomach. He died at the scene.

A babysitter who was looking after Ms Taylor's children on the night of the attack told the court she returned to the house with "a large group of people" at about 04:00.

"They were all silent and just looked at me," she told the jury.

"I tried to give a brief handover.

"Tia Taylor looked like she didn't understand. She seemed very drunk ... The others didn't say a word and were looking into space."

The court heard Mr Hill had taken anti-anxiety medication and sleeping tablets before going to the club.

The jury also heard from one of the women who went back to Ms Taylor's house, who recalled Ms Taylor told Mr Hill that he was "going to have to bleach the knife".

She also said Mr Hill had told her and others to "keep their mouths shut".

Ignatius Hughes KC, representing Ms Taylor, denied she made the comment about cleaning the knife.

"I'm suggesting that's wrong and Tia said no such thing," he said.

The trial continues.

Follow BBC Cornwall on X (formerly Twitter), Facebook and Instagram. Follow BBC Devon on X (formerly Twitter), Facebook and Instagram. Send your story ideas to [email protected].