Man on Trial Accused of Murdering Father After Silloth Pub Visit
A 33-year-old man has gone on trial accused of murdering his father following an argument at a home in Silloth.
Brian Smith, of Friars Garth in Abbeytown, denies murdering 73-year-old Stanley Smith at his bungalow in Fell Close on December 21.
Carlisle Crown Court heard that the father and son had spent the evening together at the Albion pub in Silloth, where they watched football and had several drinks before returning to Stanley Smith’s home shortly before 8pm.
The prosecution alleges that Brian Smith later applied considerable pressure to his father’s neck during a struggle. The defence case is that he restrained his father after being attacked and that Stanley then collapsed without warning.
The trial is continuing.
Pair Described as “Completely Normal” in Pub
The court heard that Stanley Smith had been living alone at Fell Close after separating from his wife.
He and his son visited the Albion pub on December 21 to watch football. Stanley reportedly drank three bottles of Newcastle Brown Ale and a pint of Guinness, while Brian had four pints of Guinness.
The pub’s landlady described the pair as appearing “completely normal” and like a typical father and son enjoying drinks while watching the match.
CCTV showed them returning to the bungalow shortly before 8pm.
Neighbour Heard Loud Argument
A neighbour told the court that very loud arguing could be heard around 40 minutes after the pair returned.
The neighbour believed someone may have been pushed or shoved and telephoned his mother to tell her what was happening.
The call lasted almost nine minutes. Towards the end of it, the neighbour said everything suddenly became quiet.
Prosecutor Kim Whittlestone told the jury that the prosecution’s case was that the argument stopped because Stanley Smith had died after being attacked by his son.
Defendant Said He Restrained His Father
The court heard that Brian Smith sent a series of text messages and voice notes to his mother, another woman and a friend following the incident.
In one message, he wrote: “He started on me so I restrained him.”
During a police interview, Brian Smith demonstrated the restraint he said he used while walking his father towards a bedroom.
He told officers that Stanley had kicked him with his heel and grabbed his knuckle.
Brian Smith said he released his father, who then followed him into the hallway before collapsing with no warning.
CCTV Allegedly Showed Stanley on Hallway Floor
The prosecution said CCTV footage captured a reflection of Stanley Smith lying on the hallway floor shortly before 9pm.
Brian Smith left the property at around 9.20pm. The court heard that he went to his mother’s address before attending hospital with injuries to his lip and right hand.
He said those injuries had been caused by his father.
The prosecutor asked jurors to consider whether the injury to Brian Smith’s hand had happened as he described, or whether Stanley had been trying to pull his son’s arm or hand away from his neck.
Pathologist Found Pressure to Neck
A pathologist concluded that Stanley Smith died as a result of pressure being applied to his neck.
The court also heard that internal bruising was found on the back of his body, including around his chest and shoulder blades.
The prosecution said those injuries were consistent with Stanley being restrained or attacked from behind.
Jurors were told that the bruising supported a possible sequence in which pressure was applied to both Stanley’s neck and back.
999 Call Made the Following Morning
Brian Smith returned to Fell Close early the following morning and called 999 at 5.28am.
During the call, he reportedly told the operator that his father had moved and had not died where he had originally fallen.
The prosecution disputes this account and says Stanley had remained in the same position.
Ms Whittlestone told the jury that the prosecution alleges Brian Smith used considerable pressure against his father’s neck during the argument.
She said the prosecution’s case was that anger took over and Stanley Smith was murdered.
Brian Smith denies murder.
The trial at Carlisle Crown Court continues.
