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Neighbours give eye-witness accounts in the murder trial of Gillingham dad-of-two David Young

Gillingham's David Young died in hospital
Gillingham's David Young died in hospital

Neighbours living in the road where dad-of-two David Young was fatally stabbed have been giving eye-witness accounts to the murder trial jury.

Mr Young, his fiancee Kirsty Bryant, his brother Aaron Young and friends had been walking back to their home in Gillingham after a night out in Rochester to celebrate New Year’s Eve.

They got involved in a fight with another group in Windmill Road, Gillingham, which ended with Mr Young, 28, being stabbed in the thigh. He was taken to nearby MedwayMaritimeHospital, but died on January 5.

Suzie Vigor told Maidstone Crown Court she was woken at her home in Windmill Road at around 2am on New Year’s Day by shouting outside.

David Young died after being stabbed in Windmill Road, Gillingham
David Young died after being stabbed in Windmill Road, Gillingham

Her four-month-old baby was due a feed at around that time. She looked out of the window and saw a group of people on the brow of the hill.

She told Maidstone Crown Court: “They were standing in the road and on the path.

“They were moving up the hill towards my house. One girl was ahead of the group. She had dark hair in a pony tail. They stopped by my next-door neighbour’s. There was another girl who had long blonde hair.”

A man seemed to be protective towards a woman wearing black.

Miss Vigor said: “They were right up close to my house. One man didn’t get involved in anything. He just stood there. I thought it a little strange.

“An argument was going on between the blonde-haired female and the woman in black. She was arguing with the man and his girlfriend.” One of the men there pushed the blonde haired girl to the ground.

“There was more argument and he pushed her again,” she said.

“She fell over again. The girl with the blonde-haired girl accused him of hitting her friend.”

There was a further “set-to” and a man was holding back another man who was “boiling over”.

“Quick as a flash it was over,” said Miss Vigor. “The three walked on up towards the hospital. The only violence I saw was to the blonde-haired girl.”

David Young with his daughters Aliyah and Latia
David Young with his daughters Aliyah and Latia

Miss Vigor said she saw one of the men pick up half a house brick and run off.

It was not until the next day that she heard someone had been stabbed.

Stuart Porter, 18, and a 17-year-old who cannot be identified for legal reasons, deny murder.

Porter, of Buttermere Close, Gillingham, and the other teenager, of Strood, also deny wounding Mr Young’s friend John-Paul Smith with intent to cause grievous bodily harm.

The trial continues.

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