Man killed 'best mate' in brutal attack, court told

VICTIM SUSTAINED INJURIES FROM BLUNT AND SHARP WEAPONS, JURY HEARS

- By ROB KENNEDY

MURDER accused Craig Howse allegedly beat his “best mate” with a vacuum cleaner attachment and slashed him more than 30 times during a “sustained and brutal” attack, a court heard.

Michael Craig, 31, was allegedly subjected to an attack with blunt and sharp weapons while inside Howse's ground floor flat on Bolingbroke Street in Heaton, Newcastle.

Newcastle Crown Court heard the reason for the alleged attack is not clear but may relate to a dispute over drugs between the friends.

Prosecutor Simon Kealey KC, said it was about 4.45pm on March 5 this year that a call was made to the emergency services saying that Mr Craig was very seriously injured and he died later that day.

Mr Kealey told jurors: “The prosecution allege that Mr Craig was murdered by the defendant, Craig Howse, inside the defendant’s own home in Newcastle. Mr Craig was subjected to a sustained and brutal assault.

“He was heavily beaten about his head and body with both fists and blunt objects, such as a Hoover pole. It caused fractures to multiple facial bones.

“He suffered more than 30 stab and slash injuries to his head and face which were inflicted with more than one weapon, such as a knife or other sharp bladed weapon. That led to significant blood loss.

“His hands had both bruising and cuts or slashes where he had tried to defend himself from attack. He also had dense bruising along with skin tears around his anus, consistent with insertion or attempted insertion of an object into his anus.”