Man denies role in brothel murder

Former Huddersfield restaurant chef Tinakorn Tuekpia was knifed to death on his birthday after he confronted robbers who had forced their way into the Bradford brothel where he was living with his partner.

Mr Tuekpia allegedly hit one of the intruders over the head with a

stick during the early hours attack.

But a murder trial jury heard that the 42-year-old, who had lived at Longwood, was then stabbed in the chest by one of the gang.

Three gang members have already admitted charges of manslaughter and conspiracy to rob arising out of the raid on Mr Tuekpia's home in Little Horton Lane, Bradford, last August.

But Syed Bukhari, who is alleged to have been the actual killer, has denied charges of murder and conspiracy to rob.

Bukhari, 28, of Ringwood Road, Canterbury, Bradford, denies being part of the gang or being present at the scene when Mr Tuekpia was stabbed in front of his pregnant partner Nitaya Cheumeraeng.

The trial at Bradford Crown Court has heard that the robbers believed there could have been about 25,000 hidden under floorboards.

Bukhari went into the witness box yesterday and was asked by his barrister Malcolm Swift QC if he had murdered Mr Tuekpia. "No sir," replied Bukhari.

"Were you one of the four people, or one of the group of people, who went to his home, broke into his house and killed him?" asked Mr Swift.

"No I wasn't sir," replied Bukhari.

The trial continues.