Brunshaw double murder trial hear of attack with empty wine bottle

Kenneth Howson told officers that, after his final blow, he thought James Atkinson was unconscious but “definitely breathing”.

After that, he spoke of walking into the living room where he claimed his co-defendant Daniel Waddington was stamping on the head of Neil Gilmore, the other man who was also found dead at the Waddington Avenue address. He also claimed the other defendant hit Mr Gilmore to the head and face with a stick.

Details of answers by Howson to questions in some of his police interviews have been read in the Preston Crown Court trial where 25-year-old Howson, of Williams Road, Burnley, and 23-year-old Waddington of Pine Street, Burnley, both deny two counts of murder.

The bodies of the two 55-year-old men were found at the flat last October. The Crown say they had been subjected to savage beatings.

The jury were told how, after earlier giving no comment answers to police questions put to him, Howson later told officers he had hit Mr Atkinson six times with an empty wine bottle.

“I just wanted to shut him up. He kept going on and on about my mum,” he defendant told police. He said he had not intended to kill him and told police he had not blamed him for his mother’s death.

Howson claimed that, after attacking Mr Atkinson in a bedroom, he walked into the living room to see Waddington stamping on Neil Gilmore’s head and hitting him with a stick.

Howson told police he “pushed him” and “told him to stop” but Waddington went on to start hitting Jimmy with the stick, headbutting and punching him.

“I pushed him over the bed to get him off,” he claimed.

He also told police “I never touched Gilly once” (referring to Mr Gilmore).

During further police questioning, Howson said he had not asked or told Waddington to do anything or threatened him to assault Neil Gilmore.

The court also heard Howson was questioned about three images of the dead men recovered from his phone, saying he took two and alleged Waddington took one.

The defendant told police: “I don’t know why I took them. I deleted them straight away.”

The jury were told Howson had previous convictions for assault and affray.

There were 47 reported domestic violence type incidents by Mr Atkinson towards Pamela Brown, Howson’s mother. over a number of years.

The defendant Waddington, who has ADHD, had given no comment answers to police. At that defendant’s first police interview, his solicitor had said it would be inappropriate for him to answer any questions.

The trial continues.