Teen breaks down as he describes killing of pal

9:10pm Tuesday 19th August 2008

A teenager broke down in tears as he told how his friend was battered to death outside a Halloween party.

The 17-year-old, who cannot be named because of his age, was giving evidence at the trial of unemployed Richard Martin, 19, who admits killing Ricky Butler but denies murdering the schoolboy.

The jury at Lewes Crown Court was told 15-year-old Ricky was outside a fancy dress party at a flat in Horsham on November 2 last year when Martin attacked him with nunchucks.

Ricky, of Leith View Road, Roffey, Horsham, was hit several times and suffered blows to his head. He staggered back inside the flat in Gorringes Brook, Roffey, where his brother and girlfriend lived. But he collapsed soon afterwards and died later.

Today his friend broke down as he told the jury about a confrontation between Ricky and Martin shortly before the fatal attack.

The case continues.

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