Murder trial told that Boston pub manager was killed with blow to the head from metal bat
A man murdered a Boston pub manager with a fierce blow to the head from a metal bat, a court was told today (Tuesday).
Adrian Whiting, 35, died in hospital ten days after the alleged attack outside the Carpenters Arms in Witham Street, Boston on January 14.
Maksim Iliev, also 35, of Union Street, Boston, denies murder and a second charge of manslaughter relating to Mr Whiting's death.
Lincoln Crown Court heard it was Mr Whiting who collected the metal bat and went to the front door of the pub after Mr Iliev was heard "screaming" in the street with his partner, Katya Tsoneva.
Jonathan Cox, prosecuting, said CCTV then showed Mr Iliev taking the metal bat from Mr Whiting, who was holding it at waist height, and striking him twice.
Mr Cox told jurors: "The prosecution say on January 14 this year Mr Iliev was involved in an attack on a man called Adrian Whiting. He did so with a metal bat.
"That attack, the prosecution say, involved Mr Iliev using that metal bat to strike Adrian Whiting twice.
"The second blow, in particular, aimed and landed to the head of Adrian Whiting.
"The blow, say the prosecution, was fierce. It caused Adrian Whiting to collapse and fall to the floor.
"Mr Whiting never recovered from the injury sustained in that attack. Despite the best efforts of medical professionals he died ten days later.
"The Crown say he (Mr Whiting) was murdered by Maksim Iliev."
Mr Iliev is on trial alongside his longterm partner, Katya Tsoneva, who the prosecution allege did a number of things in the minutes and hours after the attack to help him try and escape justice.
Jurors heard Mr Whiting went to the pub shortly after 10pm on 14 January to help his own partner, Sarah Taylor, who also worked in the bar.
The court was told Mr Whiting had gone to help with a technical problem and had to take the couple's young child in a pushchair.
Mr Cox said the couple and their young child were alone in the pub with just one customer when they heard another couple, who lived around the corner, arguing in the street.
Mr Whiting's partner, Miss Taylor, described the male as "screaming," Mr Cox told the jury.
"The male and female were these two defendants," Mr Cox alleged.
Jurors heard much of the following events were captured on CCTV from both inside and outside of the pub.
Mr Cox alleged Mr Iliev seemed agitated and Ms Tsoneva appeared to be backing off towards the pub.
CCTV showed then showed Mr Whiting stepping onto the pavement outside the pub, jurors heard.
"He is clearly telling them to clear off, to take their argument elsewhere," Mr Cox alleged.
"The prosecution say Mr Iliev took exception to Mr Whiting getting involved."
Mr Cox alleged Ms Tsoneva felt it necessary to step in twice as Mr Iliev was acting in an intimadatory manner towards Mr Whiting.
CCTV then showed Mr Whiting returning to the inside of the pub and taking the metal bat from a cleaning cupboard, before going back to the front door, jurors heard.
"When the door closed to the pub Mr Iliev could have walked off, but he did not," Mr Cox claimed.
Mr Cox said there was no dispute that Mr Whiting went to get the metal bat from the cleaning cupboard against the context of Mr Iliev's behaviour.
"However the prosecution say there can be absolutely no excuse for what then followed, Mr Cox added.
"Mr Whiting's intention was to use it (the bat) as a means to further warn off Iliev," Mr Cox claimed.
"The prosecution say at this point the bat was being held as a deterrent.
"Mr Whiting remained on the threshold of the pub for ten seconds, the door hasn't closed."
Mr Cox alleged: "The only movement of Mr Whiting was a prodding, pushing Mr Iliev away, entirely consistent with keeping him away from the premises as a deterrent."
CCTV footage then showed Mr Iliev placing two hands on the bat, and then "almost" lifting Mr Whiting off his feet to disarm him of the bat, Mr Cox alleged.
Mr Cox claimed the first reaction of Mr Iliev once he was in possession of the bat was to raise it and strike Mr Whiting as tried to scramble to his feet.
The blow landed towards the back of Mr Whiting, Mr Cox alleged, but Mr Iliev then adopted a strong base and delivered a second blow.
Mr Cox said there was a short pause before the second blow was delivered.
"It was the aiming of the blow to the head of Mr Whiting," Mr Cox alleged.
Ms Tsoneva, 34, of Red Lion Street, Boston, denies a charge of assisting an offender between 13 January and 25 January this year.
Mr Cox alleged Ms Tsoneva returned to an address which she shared with Mr Iliev to pack items for him, and then used cash and jewellery to pay for a flight out of the UK.
