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Murder accused's break-in bid arrest
ONE of three defendants accused of murdering a man who tried to stop a car theft, was arrested four days earlier for attempting to break into a house intending to steal a car from the owner, a jury heard.
Police officers went to Woodside Drive, Cottingley, after a neighbour reported seeing intruders trying to get into the house next door.
Leeds Crown Court heard yesterday two men were subsequently arrested in a nearby street, one of whom gave his name as Rangzaib Akhtar.
PC James Singleton told the jury Akhtar was interviewed about the allegation of attempted burglary later that day and denied any involvement saying: "I don't know what your talking about."
He was released on police bail with conditions to attend again on a later date.
The prosecution alleges that on December 30, Akhtar, 20, Rashad Zaman, 21, and Raees Khan, 20, attacked householder Kevin Jackson stabbing him in the head with a screwdriver when he tried to stop them stealing his father-in-law's Toyota RAV4 in Halifax. Mr Jackson died on New Year's Day.
All three have denied the murder of Mr Jackson, 31, of Skircoat Green, Halifax.
They have admitted attempting to steal the Toyota RAV4.
Akhtar, of Salt Street, Manningham, Bradford, also denies a charge of robbery and one of car theft.
He has admitted one offence of stealing a car and attempted burglary at the house in Woodside Drive, Keighley with intent to steal an Audi car.
Zaman of Apsley Crescent, Manningham, Bradford, has denied five charges of stealing vehicles and the attempted burglary at Woodside Drive.
Khan, of Priestman Close, Manningham, denies an additional robbery and the attempted burglary at Woodside Drive.
A witness, Christopher Brady, told the jury he called the police soon after 2am on Boxing Day after hearing noises from outside his next-door neighbour's home in Woodside Drive.
He knew his neighbour was away for Christmas and looking out of the window saw two men in his neighbour's garden.
One was close to the lounge window.
"He was holding a long object like a screwdriver and attempting to prize the upper window open."
He said the man, who was only about 6ft away, paid no attention to him and carried on what he was doing which was when he went and called the police.
The trial continues on Monday.
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Saturday 26 May 2012
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