01 February 2024 , 19:23
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This footage allegedly captures the moment a murder suspect hunted for a blade in the bushes before a 'knife rampage' that left one man dead and another five injured.
Jake Hill, 25, is allegedly seen retrieving a hunting knife from the hedges outside the Eclipse nightclub before going up to a group gathered outside. A trial heard he allegedly used it to 'slash and stab' multiple victims with some seen on CCTV falling back after being wounded.
Videos shown to the jury, but not released publicly, then show popular rugby player Michael Allen, 32, collapsing to the floor after being stabbed in the abdomen. The jury was told he died at the scene from severe internal bleeding. Prosecutors alleged Hill had already stabbed four others before Allen tried to confront him, while a sixth victim was also stabbed as Hill tried to flee the scene.
Hill, of Bodmin, has denied the murder or manslaughter of Mr Allen and attempting to murder Liam Phillips, Ryan Burger and Ryan Parsons in the early hours of April 30 last year. Further allegations of GBH by wounding with intent involving victims named as Stefan Williams and Rhiannon Tompsett in relation to the same incident have also been denied.
Tia Taylor, 22, and Chelsea Powell, 22, also from Bodmin, have also gone on trial alongside Hill after pleading not guilty to 'joint enterprise murder' over the death of Mr Allen as well as attempting to pervert the course of justice. The jury was shown a lengthy compilation of CCTV, dashcam and bodyworn footage allegedly tracking the movements of all three defendants from the moment they entered the nightclub earlier that evening to the trio leaving the murder scene together.
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Jake Hill, 25, is allegedly seen retrieving a hunting knife from the hedges outside the Eclipse nightclub (SWNS)Other images capture violent scuffles breaking out and other stab victims bleeding from their injuries. Some footage has now been released by the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) although much of the more graphic scenes of the attacks themselves have not at the request of some victims.
Opening the case, prosecutor Mark Cotter KC said Hill allegedly retrieved the knife and placed himself in the middle of some disorder breaking out among a group of around 15 standing outside the club. One witness described him as going on a "knife rampage" the court heard.
Mr Cotter said: "Following his entry into the disorder, Jake Hill produced his knife and stabbed or slashed five people. Each of those individuals suffered a single wound. The prosecution further allege that Jake Hill, as he left he scene, stabbed a sixth person and again a single wound was inflicted."
The jury was shown a lengthy compilation of CCTV, dashcam and bodyworn footage (SWNS)Mr Cotter said it was not possible to say precisely what order the wounds were inflicted but said they were "all within a matter of seconds within each other". Mr Allen was the last to be stabbed within the main group and although no CCTV captured the knife being used, footage did show victims 'quickly detach themselves' from group after suffering injuries.
Mr Cotter added: "No witnesses saw any of the injured persons do anything to anyone, let alone Jake Hill, that could explain why Jake Hill stabbed them. The initial burst of knife violence culminated in a struggle that took place between Jake Hill and Michael Allen.
"Michael Allen also separated some of the parties. He was unarmed. He confronted and struggled with Jake Hill and was simulaneously assaulted by Tia Taylor and Chelsea Powell. During that encounter, Michael Allen was stabbed by Jake Hill in the abdomen. The knife went in deep, causing a wound depth of 12 and a half cm."
Michael Allen was killed in the incident (Devon & Cornwall Police / SWNS)Mr Cotter said the knife cut through the stomach muscles, damaged the intestines and the aorta. "Rapid internal blood loss caused him to collapse within seconds and he died at the scene," he added. "The prosecution case is that Jake Hill, having seen the disorder, became angry and violent.
"One witness who saw some of the stabbings and the aftermath described him as being on a 'knife rampage' The prosecution alleges Jake Hill deliberately stabbed and slashed individuals within the group and caused the various wounds." In relation to the Powell and Taylor, the prosecution say they had "voluntarily inserted themselves into a violent environment" and "showed themselves as perfectly willing to take part in that violence when it was wholly unnecessary for them to do so."
They were "backing him up - and inflicting blows to Mr Allen" the prosecutor added. When police later went to Taylor's house looking for Hill, she denied he was there - when he was in fact hiding in the loft, Mr Cotter added. Powell was also accused of giving a false witness statement to police about her involvement in the incident.
Police and forensics investigate following the murder (SWNS)Mr Allen, known to family and friends as Mike or 'Chabel' had recently moved to Bodmin from Liskeard in Cornwall and the rugby club where he played has been turned into a shrine full of flowers and pictures of him. Paying tribute at the time of his death, his family said: "Mike was simply much-loved son, brother, grandson, and uncle who loved his dogs."
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They also thanked the local community for the support they've been shown. Bodmin RFC said: "His humour and kindness has left a mark on us all and we will miss him dearly." The trial continues.