Teenager tells murder trial he lied about attack on gay friend
An 18-year-old has admitted that he lied to police about how his gay friend suffered the serious head injuries that caused his death.
Michael Binsteed, of Prescot in Merseyside, has already pleaded guilty to perverting the course of justice and is appearing as a prosecution witness at a murder trial.
Michael Causer, 18, was allegedly attacked at the Huyton home of Binsteed’s grandmother by James O’Connor and Gavin Alker, both 19.
After a 999 call he was found by paramedics in the street on Friday 25th July.
Despite surgery to try to reduce swelling on his brain, Michael Causer died at 2:30pm on Saturday 2nd August.
O’Connor, formerly of Huyton, but now of Runcorn, has admitted murdering Mr Causer but denies it was motivated by homophobia.
Alker, of Fleetwood Walk, Runcorn, denies murder.
O’Connor will be sentenced after Alker’s trial at Liverpool Crown Court.
Last week Binsteed told the court that O’Connor and Alker kicked and punched Mr Causer in the head as he lay sleeping after an all-night drinking session.
He testified that Alker shouted homophobic abuse at Mr Causer as they beat him.
The prosecution claims Alker, O’Connor and Binsteed then decided to dump Mr Causer in the street by carrying him over a fence.
Binsteed later called an ambulance after seeing Mr Causer bleeding profusely from the nose and mouth, but told police the victim was attacked in the street by three random men.
The court was played the 999 call made by Binsteed.
“I don’t want him to die,” he told operators.
“Get out of the car, help him for f***’s sake! I’m sorry for swearing but he’s my mate.”
Binsteed told the court he lied because he is scared of O’Connor and Alker.
The trial continues.
