Murdoch Brown murder: 'Brother warned not to give evidence in court'

Murdoch Brown died after he was stabbed three times in Buffett Way, Colchester, on May 7, 2019.

Three people were charged with murdering Mr Brown, 31, and are standing trial.

Toyn Williams, 29, of Winchester Road, Hale End, in East London, Jay Dice, 23, of Mayville, Leyonstone, and Reece McHutcherson, 20, of Pillow Way, Buckingham, deny the charge of murder.

Williams, Dice and McHutcherson also deny attempted wounding with intent to cause grievous bodily harm to Robert Brown.

Kaley Hodgkinson, 31, of Charles Pell Road, Colchester, is also standing trial, charged with assisting an offender.

Hodgkinson, Dice and McHutcherson are also charged with perverting the course of justice.

After he recounted the moment he and his brother were attacked by two men, Robert Brown told the jury he was approached on two occasions and warned against speaking out about the case.

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Giving evidence in the witness box, he said he was first approached “quite a few months ago” in Braintree town, at the back of a Tesco store.

Mr Brown said he recognised both individuals and said they called him over by name.

“I can’t remember exactly what was said, but basically it was along the lines of not coming to court and not giving evidence in this case,” he said.

Mr Brown said he called the police after he was approached for a second time in Peel Crescent, Braintree, and asked whether he would be going to court.