THE FAMILY of Alex Doyle, stabbed to death in Lindfield Estate North, just minutes from his home in Wilmslow, met the man accused of his murder face to face at Chester Crown Court on Tuesday.

His parents Keith and Sue, held each other as they heard that their son died from a single wound inflicted after an eight centimetre lock knife plunged through his chest.

His mother dried away tears as she heard evidence and clutched her throat as the jury was told the knife penetrated his ribs and into his heart.

Nicholas Rashford, 18, of Stamford Road, Wilmslow, pleads not guilty to murder. In cross examination defence lawyers claimed he was approached by a large group, including Alex Doyle, and feeling outnumbered swung the knife from side to side. "He denies murder," said Mr Richard Marks, QC,

A jury of eight women and four men sat listening to prosecution evidence given by Mr Michael Chambers QC in his opening speech.

Rashford whose 19th birthday is on Wednesday, next week, wore a light blue shirt and tie with black trousers. His family also sat in the court room.

Mr Chambers said the attack was a result of an earlier incident which involved a heated exchange.

"It was a revenge attack. Rashford had taken exception at the way Alex Doyle had spoken to him earlier that evening. They knew each other and were part of a large group who lived in the Wilmslow area.

"Earlier they had both been at an address in Handforth. There had been a heated exchange between the defendant and Alex Doyle."

He said a confrontation occurred later at Lindfield Estate North where Rashford allegedly stabbed Alex Doyle. He collapsed and was cared for by a neighbour prior to the arrival of emergency services but he died at the scene.

"The knife went in nine cm, the blade was only 8.6 cm , therefore it had gone in up to the hilt and was compressed into his body. It was the result of a deliberate thrust and would require moderate force to inflict," Mr Chambers said.

  • ALEX Doyle, 20, of Nursery Lane, Wilmslow, a former pupil of Wilmslow High School, was a qualified electrician working for his father. He was a keen sportsman and played lacrosse and was a member of Lindow Football Club.

He was wearing the team shirt of his favourite club, Manchester United, on the night he died.

Nicholas Rashford denies the murder.

Mr Chambers said on Friday, February 13, Alex had arranged to go to the home of friends, Luke Conway and Thomas Skarratt, who lived at 5 Tarvin Way in Handforth.

He said: "He arrived there shortly after 5pm together with a friend Carlton Harris. They were having a drink at a party and at about 6.30pm the defendant, known as Nicky to his friends, arrived.

They were drinking lots of alcohol. Rashford already had the knife with him and at one point produced it to some of the group allowing friends to handle it before putting it back into a leather glove he was wearing, which was shown to the jury.

He said Rashford was heard to make personal comments about the size of peoples' ears. A playfight ensued between Rashford and Thomas Skarratt and then Alex Doyle began to argue with the defendant.

About 8.30pm they all left the house to go to Wilmslow Town Centre. Nicholas and Alex were calling each other names, Luke Conway told them to pack it in and they all got on the bus, including Nicky Rashford.

Mr Chambers said that the defendant had mentioned that he felt outnumbered.

The prosecution said Rashford claimed he had the knife because he was worried about some lads in Stretford who would come looking for him.

He said Rashford got off at Lacey Green, the others remained on the bus and then got off and made their way to 46 Lindfield Estate North where there was a party.

Mr Chambers described it as an "open house", somebody was celebrating their 23rd Birthday and every one was having a drink and enjoying themselves.

Meanwhile Rashford made his way to the centre of Wilmslow and at around 10.30pm he arrived in Bank Square at the Flamingo kebab house. He was seen by Kyle Skarratt, the younger brother of Thomas, who was aware the defendant was involved in an argument with Alex Doyle and asked him about it.

He is alleged to have said that Alex Doyle had looked at him funny and he was going to sort it out.

Rashford had two other men with him aged 18 and 20, both from Wythenshawe.

Mr Chambers said it was clear that Rashford intended to go and fight him. Thomas Skarratt said he tried to persuade the defendant but he was insistent.

Thomas then telephoned a warning through to the house where the party was and spoke to Luke Conway who persuaded Thomas to return to the house.

Between 11pm and 11.30pm they arrived at Lindfield Estate. Mr Chambers said Conway told the defendant to "leave it" to which Rashford replied "I'm not going to take any shit."

Thomas realised Luke had gone out so he went out after him and saw the defendant and two men.

Alex Doyle and some friends went out to the street where they were confronted by the defendant who produced a knife and began waving it around. He cut the finger of a girl and the clothing of Alex Doyle.

Mr Chambers said: "Nicholas said I'm going to 'chiv' you. He did exactly that, stabbing Alex Doyle into the chest on his left hand side below the left nipple."

Nicky Rashford is alleged to have said "He did not think I would do it" and Alex was heard to say "he has stabbed me".

He collapsed 25 yards away in front of houses close where he was.

A male from Alex's group of friends approached the defendant and restrained him and took the knife and he was held there until police arrived.

A neighbour came over to care for Alex until the emergency services arrived. There was nothing they could do. he was pronounced dead within a short time.

Mr Chambers said: "Because it was a lock knife it had to have been locked into position and therefore needed deliberate action . It requires a deliberate and conscious action to open the knife.

"On approaching the house Rashford confronted Alex on the street. Alex was not prepared for an assault with a knife. the defendant took out the knife and locked it into position.

"He slashed it from side to side and cut Alex Doyle's Adidas top. Under that he (Alex) was wearing a grey fleece his clothing was examined by forensic scientists and they found five superficial lash cuts on the addidas top."

He said that that gives an indication how close the defendant was when he slashed Alex and Rashford also cut the finger of a witness as he slashed his knife around.

During the police interview Rashford said he did not intend to stab him but merely waved it from side to side. He said the fatal wound was an accident.

In a statement to police Rashford claimed Alex came running out towards him and tried swinging for him and he told police "I said what are you doing, I just came to chill."

Nicky claims they were all following him about and he was trying to get away from them but Alex was trying to punch him.

The trial continues