Man stabbed to death in 'swift and brutal attack' on Isle of Wight
The trial into the murder of Tommy Barton has started at Winchester Crown Court
A cricketer was stabbed to death in a "swift and brutal attack" as he went to confront two men after he saw one of them holding hands with his ex-girlfriend, a court has heard.
Cameron Baker, 28, of Sandown, and 28-year-old Rio Scott, of Ryde, Isle of Wight, are on trial at Winchester Crown Court charged with the murder of Thomas Barton who died following the fatal incident in Park Road, Ryde, in the early hours of May 28.
Christopher Quinlan KC, prosecuting, told the jury that Mr Barton, 30, had seen the defendants with his ex-girlfriend, Sammi Creed, outside a bar in Ryde on the previous evening.
He said that Ms Creed - who had split with Mr Barton two months earlier - was holding Baker's hand which she later told police was because he was drunk.
Mr Quinlan said: "She recalled Tommy saying 'You going to do me like that?', meaning that she had wronged him.
"She said her reaction was to let go of Cameron's hand."
He said that the group went to a friend's house where restaurant worker Mr Barton "elbowed" Baker in the head.
Mr Quinlan said that the group then went on to other bars before they later returned to Park Road where Scott lived.
The prosecutor said that Mr Barton later arrived in Park Road in the early hours of the morning in a car driven by his 84-year-old father, Peter Thomas.
He banged on the door of Scott's home with his father's walking stick but when there was no answer Mr Barton and his father drove away only to return again a while later, the court heard.
Mr Quinlan said: "It seems clear Tommy Barton was ruminating, thinking about what had happened earlier and what he had seen and been told about Sammi and Cameron.
"He was not happy about what he perceived was the situation between Cameron Baker and Sammi Creed."
He said that Mr Barton, who played cricket for clubs in Ryde, Ventnor and Lymington, intended to confront the defendants but was then attacked by them and suffered multiple stab wounds.
Mr Quinlan said: "In the early hours of the morning, Thomas Barton stepped out of his father's motor vehicle in Park Road in Ryde on the Isle of Wight.
"He was intent on confrontation, certainly or at least with Cameron Baker who was in a house close by with his friend Rio Scott.
"Baker and Scott were ready for Mr Barton and they assaulted him, an assault that was as swift as it was brutal.
"The two defendants attacked Thomas Barton, during that vicious attack he was stabbed repeatedly, he staggered away and then collapsed.
"Despite efforts by members of the public and emergency services, he died where he fell."
Mr Quinlan said that Mr Barton's father said his son "was looking for a fist fight and they just had the tools".
Mr Barton Snr told police that he saw two "big weapons, not little kitchen knives".
He added: "I knew straightaway he was dead or not going to survive."
Mr Quinlan said the two defendants were arrested and Baker said in interview that he had acted in self defence while Scott said he was not involved in the incident.
Both defendants deny murder and the trial continues.