Teenager boasted about ‘slicing up’ victim after fatal knife attack, court told | UK | News

A teenager “bragged” about “slicing” another man after stabbing his victim to death during a fight in Bournemouth town centre, a court heard. Thomas Betteridge, now 20, is on trial at Bournemouth Crown Court for the manslaughter of Cameron Hamilton.

The 18-year-old suffered fatal stab wounds to the chest during the incident at The Square in the Dorset seaside resort in the early hours of August 5, 2023. An 18-year-old man boasted of “slicing” a teenager to death after stabbing him to death during a fight in Bournemouth city centre, a court heard.

Thomas Betteridge, now 20, is on trial at Bournemouth Crown Court charged with the manslaughter of Cameron Hamilton.

The 18-year-old victim suffered fatal stab wounds to the chest in the Dorset seaside town’s Square in the early hours of August 5, 2023.

Betteridge also faces a charge of possession of a kitchen knife.

Prosecutor John Price KC told the jury that Mr Hamilton pushed Betteridge into a bush before the defendant stabbed him.

The prosecutor added that the defendant left his coach and fled the scene with another young man.

A witness reportedly overheard Betteridge saying: “I sliced ​​him, I sliced ​​him,” in an “almost boastful and proud manner” while he said he was “laughing a little.”

The second teenager reportedly responded with a “childish giggle.”

Mr Price said Betteridge then changed his clothes and trainers to nearby friends before police intervened.

He described Betteridge showing “righteous anger” during the stop and search, filming the officers on his phone and later sharing the video on Instagram.

The prosecutor noted the defendant’s claim that he acted in self-defense, stating that it was something he “had to do” that he regretted but believed was necessary for his protection.

He continued: “The defense argues that this was a lawful act by Thomas Betteridge, a lawful murder in self-defence.

“It should be noted that Mr Betteridge’s immediate action after the murder was to brag about it and that he attempted to change his appearance in less than three minutes.”

Betteridge, of Southsea, Hampshire, denies the charges and the trial continues. He is also accused of possessing a kitchen knife.

Prosecutor John Price KC told the jury that during the incident Betteridge was pushed into a bush by Mr Hamilton and the defendant then stabbed him.

He said the defendant then fled, leaving a coach and a second youth at the scene.

The prosecutor said Betteridge was heard by a witness to say, “I sliced ​​him, I sliced ​​him,” saying he said the words “in an almost boastful and proud manner” and that he “laughed a little.”

He said the second teenager also “let out a childish giggle.”

Mr Price said Betteridge changed clothes and trainers with friends at the scene before being stopped by police.

He said Betteridge expressed “righteous anger” at being stopped and searched by police and filmed the officers on his mobile phone before posting the video on Instagram.

Mr Price said the defendant claimed he acted in self-defence during the fatal incident, which was something he regretted, but said he “had to do it because he believed it was necessary to defend himself”.

He added: “The defense case is that this was a lawful act by Thomas Betteridge, a lawful murder carried out in self-defence.

“It is worth noting that the first thing Mr. Betteridge did after the murder was brag about it, and the next thing he did, less than three minutes later, was attempt to change his appearance.”

Betteridge, of Southsea, Hampshire, denies the charges and the trial continues.