Raymond Quigley murder trial: Jury sent out over Ipswich stabbing

Suffolk Constabulary Raymond James Quigley, known as James, from Wymondham, NorfolkSuffolk Constabulary
Raymond James Quigley, known as James, from Wymondham, Norfolk, died after he was stabbed

A jury has retired to consider whether two teenagers are guilty of murdering an 18-year-old man in a town centre.

Raymond James Quigley - known as James - was stabbed to death and died inside a card shop in Westgate Street in Ipswich on 17 January last year.

Alfie Hammett, 19, of Rushmere St Andrew, and Joshua Howell, 18, of Ipswich, are standing trial accused of murder.

Judge Martyn Levett sent the jury out at Ipswich Crown Court to deliberate.

John Fairhall/BBC Westgate St in Ipswich cordoned offJohn Fairhall/BBC
Mr Quigley died inside a card shop in Westgate Street in Ipswich

Prosecutors have said Mr Hammett stabbed Mr Quigley - who was from Wymondham in Norfolk - while Mr Howell chased away his friends with a machete.

Tensions between two rival gangs were "no doubt running high" when the victim was killed, prosecutor Andrew Jackson told jurors.

Mr Howell admitted drawing the large knife but said he did not know Mr Hammett or Mr Quigley and that he was in the "wrong place at the wrong time" selling cannabis to his co-defendant.

During the trial under questioning by Chris Henley, defending, Mr Howell said he carried the machete "for safety" and armed himself after strangers had contacted him wanting to meet.

When the trial started on 12 December, the court was told all three boys were involved in gangs in Norfolk and Suffolk - which the defendants deny.

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