Willenhall murder trial told of attack on victim

A man bludgeoned to death in Willenhall was shoved and punched in the face an hour before by the brother of the man accused of killing him, a court heard.

Derek Law, aged 28, is alleged to have murdered his drinking friend, 33-year-old Jagjit Singh Villkhu, with a stone in January. Mr Villkhu was attacked on rough ground known as The Summers, between Villiers Street and St Anne's Road. The prosecution claims Law murdered Mr Villkhu between 11.20pm and 11.45pm on January 23.

Resident Joseph Osbourne told Wolverhampton Crown Court yesterday that he had called police that night after seeing two white men crowding around and "pushing" an Asian man outside his home in New Hall Street.

Another witness, Mark Yates, told the court he had been passing at that time when he saw Law with Mr Villkhu, who he said was being pushed and shoved by Law's brother Carlton.

He said he knew them as friends and tried to split the pair up. He admitted seeing Carlton punch Mr Villkhu in the face. "It was more like a playground scuffle to start with," he told the court.

Mr Yates said he understood the argument had erupted because Carlton thought Mr Villkhu had been "slagging his kids off".

He told the court that he eventually walked away with Carlton while Mr Villkhu walked off in another direction, followed by Law.

The court heard that Mr Villkhu had told a friend over the phone at about 10.45pm that he was at a park in Villiers Street, Willenhall, and had been drinking.

Another man's voice was heard in the background.

Mr Villkhu lived with his father Mohinder in nearby Cemetery Road. His father, giving evidence, yesterday said he had not approved of his son drinking alcohol or of his lifestyle.

Law, of Barcroft, Willenhall, is alleged to have bludgeoned Mr Villkhu to death with a stone by swinging it around in his sock, before taking a photograph of Mr Villkhu's injuries using a mobile phone. Law denies murder. The trial continues.

By Lisa O'Brien