'There is no issue that the defendant was armed with and used the knife'

PROSECUTOR TELLS MURDER TRIAL JURY QUESTION THEY FACE IS WHETHER 22-YEAR-OLD 'ACTED LAWFULLY'

- THOMAS GEORGE

A MAN was stabbed to death in a mass brawl outside a bar, a trial has heard.

Liam O'Pray is accused of murdering Rico Burton, 31, in Altrincham town centre during the early hours of August 21 of last year.

The 22-year-old denies the charge, as well as an allegation of wounding with intent against another man, Harvey Reilly, who was also seriously injured in the incident.

Jurors at Manchester Crown Court yesterday heard Mr O'Pray had armed himself with a lock knife, which he plunged into Mr Burton's neck during a 3am brawl outside King Pong bar. The wound 'almost completely divided' a major artery in Mr Burton's neck, causing 'a massive, fatal haemorrhage, the court heard.

Opening prosecution case, Michael Brady KC said all three men had spent the previous few hours in bars around the Goose Green area of Altrincham.

After leaving one bar earlier in the evening, jurors heard Mr O'Pray tried to regain entry between 9pm and 10pm but was denied. Upon being turned away, he warned the head doorman, Stuart Kirkland, he would return and 'cause him an issue, the court was told.

"This was the first but not the last example of the defendant's generally belligerent and aggressive behaviour that evening that culminated in him stabbing Rico Burton and slashing Harvey Reilly," said Mr Brady.