The jury has retired to consider its verdict in the trial of two teenagers accused of murdering Raymond James Quigley, from Wymondham.

Alfie Hammett, 19, and Joshua Howell, 18, have both been charged with the murder of Mr Quigley on January 17 last year in Westgate Street, in the centre of Ipswich, as well as possession of an offensive weapon in a public place.

Hammett, of Larkhill Rise, Rushmere St Andrew, and Howell, of Wellington Street, Ipswich, both deny the charges.

The trial has been running for more than a month and Ipswich Crown Court has heard Mr Quigley suffered four stab wounds to the torso and was killed due to a “deep-rooted gang rivalry”.

The court has heard that Hammett is part of the Norwich Third Side gang, Howell part of the Ipswich IP3 gang and Mr Quigley part of the Norwich Only The Money gang, or OTM.

However Howell has said he is not affiliated with IP3, also known as the Nacton gang. 

The prosecution has argued the defendants met at Suffolk New College and later ambushed Mr Quigley with his friends, with Howell using his machete to prevent the friends from helping Mr Quigley as he was stabbed to death by Hammett.

Howell’s defence is that he met with the man who stabbed Mr Quigley - who police have called Male 1 and who the prosecution say is Hammett - to sell him cannabis and took a machete in case Male 1 attacked him.

The court heard Male 1 then asked Howell where the German Doner Kebab shop was in town and Howell then walked towards the food shop with him.

Male 1 then unexpectedly attacked Mr Quigley when they encountered him in Westgate Street and Howell drew his machete out of fear in the commotion, according to the defence.

Hammett has not given evidence but his defence disputes the claim that he is Male 1.

Judge Martyn Levett reminded jurors Hammett has the right to say nothing and insist the prosecution proves its case.   

At this stage all 12 jurors must agree on any verdict they give on each of the charges. 

The trial continues.