Reece Cox murder trial: Six all played part in death, court told

Mr David Mason QC, prosecuting, said the group were all involved in the “vicious” attack on Reece Cox outside The Clifton pub in Sedgley.

Mr Mason QC told a jury that Mr Cox, aged 24, had tried to break up a fight and had died “for his efforts” on August 15 last year.

The prosecutor told Wolverhampton Crown Court the defendants each played their role in the attack.

More from the trial:

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• Reece Cox murder-accused punched and kicked victim to 'stop fighting', court told

• Reece Cox murder trial: Defendant describes how he 'very stupidly kicked out' at young father

• Reece Cox murder trial: Final kick alone could have killed young father, jury told

• Reece Cox trial: Father died from 'sustained blunt force trauma' with alcohol a contributing factor, court told

• Reece Cox: Man tells jury of attack by gang before father was killed outside pub

• 'This is not right': Jury told final words of heroic Reece Cox who died defending friend

• Reece Cox: 500 hours of CCTV trawled in Black Country murder probe

• Reece Cox murder: Trial told how father was beaten to death as he tried to help friend

All six men have denied murder.

Jurors were told defendant Shane Jones, 26, had punched the victim three times to the back of his head whilst Mr Cox was “down on all fours”.

Defendant Ryan Nicklin, who didn’t give evidence in the trial, is claimed to have kicked Mr Cox three times.

Defendant Adam Ashwin, 20, who also didn’t give evidence during the trial, had kicked Mr Cox a number of times and delivered the final kick, Mr Mason QC said.

Mr Mason QC claimed Wayne Burke, 23, was pulling Shane Jones away so he could get a “better crack” at the victim, whom he punched and kicked, a judge heard.

Mr Mason QC told jurors defendant Shaquel Halliday, 22, received a punch from Mr Cox but questioned how the defendant could claim he was “defending himself” during the incident.

Defendant Sebastian Jones, aged 19, is alleged to have delivered a number of punches when Mr Cox was “no threat to anybody” and had claimed to be acting in self-defence, jurors were told.

Adam Ashwin, 20, of Monument Lane, Sedgley, denies murder. Wayne Burke, 23, of Queens Street, Pensnett; Shaquel Halliday, 22, of Shadwell Drive, Lower Gornal; Shane Jones, 26, of Orchard Grove, Lower Gornal; Ryan Nicklin, 22, of Limes Avenue, Pensnett; and Sebastian Jones, 19, of Corser Street, Dudley, deny murder, manslaughter, assault actioning actual bodily harm and violent disorder.

The trial continues.