Man ‘hunted and knifed to death’ after birthday party

The victim Joshua Hirst, known as Josh, 20, was confronted outside his home in Grove Street, Mirfield, by at least two men wearing balaclavas who had been hunting for him, Neil Davey QC prosecuting told Leeds Crown Court yesterday.

He claimed they were Joe Church and Aaron Smith, who earlier on August 3 had seen a group of their friends from the London Park area of Mirfield sentenced for robbery offences.

After the case finished they went to Fantasia in Ludgate Hill, Leeds, a shop selling ornamental and replica guns and knives.

Mr Davey said there Church bought an American made TAC-FORCE knife which the prosecution alleged was purchased so “violence could be used or threatened against someone.” They also bought two balaclavas in the market.

He told the jury Mr Hirst was probably chosen for a combination of reasons. There was bad blood between him and some of the “London Parkers” as he called them.

In the middle of May there was an “ugly incident” at Church’s home in Redlands Close, Mirfield, when late at night a mob caused mayhem, damaging the house and Church family vehicles.

A white car was seen and it was wrongly concluded it was Mr Hirst’s Audi and in retaliation windows were put through in a vehicle belonging to Mr Hirst’s father.

Josh Hirst also appeared successful, in regular employment and likely to have money on him and possibly also “there was a fair chance” he might have drugs on him which his attackers considered worth taking.

He was an enthusiastic gym user taking steroids to build up strength and occasionally supplied the drug mephedrone.

Mr Davey told the jury the fatal outcome to the confrontation might not have been planned but the encounter undoubtedly was.

The pair were driven by a friend Nadeem Rashid to Grove Street having followed Mr Hirst for a time after he had dropped off his girlfriend following her 18th birthday dinner celebration.

When he got out of his vehicle and saw them he ran away but was chased and caught. His left hand was cut probably as he tried to ward off blows. He had wounds to his top lip and back and his throat was cut causing massive damage. He was also then stabbed downwards into his neck cutting his carotid artery before the attackers fled.

Church 21, Smith, 19, of Saville Street, Emley, and Rashid, 21 of Lapwing View, Horbury, near Wakefield, each deny his murder and possessing an offensive weapon.

The trial continues.