Teen denies murder, claims self-defence in Bristol stabbing

Summarised from BristolLive's report · Updated 4 Nov, 21:57 · Archive

A 19-year-old denies murdering a man stabbed to death outside a Bristol supermarket on 2 February.

BristolLive reports that Mustafa Ali, 19, denies murdering Leon Phillips, 47, who was fatally stabbed outside Malik Supermarket on Stapleton Road in Easton on 2 February. The incident lasted seven seconds and involved five men confronting Phillips and an associate at a bus stop.

Bristol Crown Court heard that Ali's defence barrister, Paul Raudnitz KC, argued that Ali was acting in self-defence. The barrister told the court that Ali believed Phillips, who was known to carry out robberies and was often armed, was carrying a knife. Raudnitz KC said Ali was 'trapped' and had no option but to defend himself, as he 'simply could not run away'. Ali said he feared being stabbed.

Phillips suffered three wounds, one to each buttock and one to his abdomen, and died in Southmead Hospital just after 8am on 3 February. The trial at Bristol Crown Court was nearing its end.

Read the report

• Teen accused of Stapleton Road murder had 'no option but to defend himself', court hearsThe trial of the 19-year-old is nearing an endBristolLive · 4 Nov, 16:31

In this story: Mustafa Ali · Leon Phillips · Bristol Crown Court · Stapleton Road · Easton · Malik Supermarket

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