Harry Baker murder trial: 17-year-old chased for a mile before death, court hears

By Ellyn Wright

21st Jan 2021 | Local News

Harry Baker, 17, was found dead at Barry Docks in August 2019
Harry Baker, 17, was found dead at Barry Docks in August 2019

The trial at Newport Crown Court of six men charged with the murder of Harry Baker continued today.

Leon Clifford, 23; Raymond Thompson, 48; Lewis Evans, 62; Ryan Palmer, 34 and Peter McCarthy, 37, all from Barry; Leon Symons, 22, of no fixed abode, and a 17-year-old boy who cannot be identified, deny murder.

Mr Clifford has plead guilty to manslaughter.

Prosecutors have suggested the killing, which they told the court came after he was chased for a mile through Barry by a gang, was motivated by drugs.

According to witness Natasha Allt, 17-year-old Harry from Cardiff had made connections with older, more established drug dealers.

Under cross-examination Ms Allt, who witnessed an ambush some of the defendants are said to have carried out on the victim and his friend before they were chased to Barry Docks, said Harry had been dealing drugs to her mother.

She described Harry as the head boy and his friend his runner, and when asked in court if Harry had made the area around her house his 'turf', Ms Allt said that he was selling all over Barry.

Ms Allt also told the court that during the ambush of Harry, one of the defendants slapped her in the face with a machete.

Although Ms Allt witnessed the ambush of Harry and his friend, she was not present at Barry Docks. She described the killing as sick.

The victim's body was found 28 August 2019, with nine stab wounds to the head, face, neck, stomach and legs.

Forensic pathologist Dr Deryk James, who conducted a post mortem examination, told the court that the knifings were forceful enough to penetrate his brain.

The prosecution has said that the victim's phone was taken by the defendants after the attack.

Mr Lewis QC said Mr Symons had laughed on the phone to the person that had called Harry.

Another call was made after the stabbing from Harry's phone to a woman he was staying with at the time. The caller, who had tried to disguise his voice is reported to have said she would not be hearing from Harry again.

There was a real likelihood the teenager was still alive when that call was made, but the defendants, the prosecution say, did not help him. The six-week trial began on 12 January, and continues.

     

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