Murder accused "bragged about fatal beating"

Kelly Cannon, Shane Rice’s partner, told Sheffield Crown Court she and Rice bumped into Jones in a Tesco car park on September 3, nearly a month after the attack.

She told Sheffield Crown Court on this morning: “Dale was bragging, saying he wasn’t going to get caught.

“He said they didn't have any evidence on him and Shane should just be quiet.”

Asked if Jones seemed concerned about the incident, she replied: “No, not at all.”

Emma Hunt, Jones’ former partner, mother to his two children and sister of co-defendant Damien Hunt, added that Jones had made violent threats to witnesses after the attack on Mr Ahmed in Eastwood last August.

She told the court: “I approached Dale about it and said: ‘I think you’ve got something to do with this.’

“He said: ‘If anyone says I've got anything to do with this I will kill him.”

Mr Andrew O’Byrne, representing Jones, asked Ms Hunt how and when her relationship with Jones ended.

Ms Hunt said she had broken up with Jones the day he was arrested for the attack on Mr Ahmed.

Mr O’Byrne said: “You don't want him back and you've got not time for him,” to which Ms Hunt said not.

“I wonder if you are saying Dale was aggressive and making threats because of your break-up with him,”

Ms Hunt replied: “No, I always tell the truth.”

Both Jones, of Whiston, and co-defendant Damien Hunt (30), of East Dene, deny murder. The trial continues.