Cameron Hamilton murder trial opens in Bournemouth

Thomas Betteridge was heard saying ‘I sliced him up’ in a “boastful and proud manner” just moments after he inflicted three stab wounds on the 18-year-old.

He then ditched the blood-stained kitchen knife and swapped shoes with co-defendant Lennie Hansen to avoid police detection, a jury was told.

The pair, both aged 18, appeared at Bournemouth Crown Court on Tuesday, January 30, for the opening day of the trial.

• Read more: Bournemouth murder trial begins 

The court heard how a fight had broken out in Bournemouth Square in the early hours of Saturday, August 5, following an argument between Thomas Betteridge and Cameron Hamilton.

Betteridge tried to run from the scene but was chased through the Square by Mr Hamilton and two of his friends.

After a short pursuit, the defendant turned to face Mr Hamilton and flicked off the sheath from the knife in his hand.

Cameron Hamilton (Image: Dorset Police)

The jury was told Betteridge struck Mr Hamilton with the knife three times, with the second hit to his lower left chest proving fatal and causing him to fall to the ground.

The defendant then ditched the knife in some nearby bushes, before running off from the scene with Hansen.

A witness said he saw the two males “laughing” and “giggling” as they fled.

CCTV footage captured the pair in the Lower Gardens just minutes later, with Betteridge swapping shoes with Hansen, and switching tops with another male.

When police stopped them for questioning, Betteridge claimed "complete ignorance of the incident" and had a "righteous attitude”, said prosecutor Mr John Price KC.

Both teens were detained and arrested by police.

In his opening notes, Mr Price KC told the court: “It was a familiar and depressing tail of drunken town centre violence on a Friday night.

"Will there ever be a good reason for a person to have a knife in a public place for use as a weapon, as was here the case?"

• Read more: Trial into alleged murder of Cameron Hamilton is delayed

Edmund Burge KC, representing Betteridge, said his client was acting in self defence and had “no intention to kill Cameron Hamilton”.

The court also heard how the knife used in the stabbing belonged to Hansen, and Betteridge only took possession of it during the incident. 

Malcolm Gibney, representing Hansen, noted that his client was "seriously autistic" and suggested this may have played a part in his actions when he was asked by Betteridge to swap shoes after the stabbing.

Betteridge, of Southsea, denies charges of murder and being in possession of a bladed article.

Hansen, of Waterlooville, denies a charge of assisting an offender.

The trial continues.