This week the trial began into the fatal stabbing which claimed the life of a father 20 years ago.

Michael Donnelly is accused of murdering 30-year-old Grant Byrom in Colchester on Boxing Day, 1998.

Donnelly, who was aged 51 at the time of Mr Byrom’s death, is standing trial at Chelmsford Crown Court.

A jury was sworn in on Wednesday and the trial got underway on Thursday.

Due to social distancing, the press and public are sitting in courtroom 4, watching the trial, which is taking place in Court 1, on a big screen.

It is likely one of the first murder trials to be undertaken in this manner.

During the first day the court heard of the moments leading up to a fatal stabbing.

Mr Byrom, 30, was stabbed three times, with the fatal wound entering his heart in the street outside a Colchester flat on Boxing Day 1998.

Christopher Paxton QC, prosecuting at Chelmsford Crown Court, said a confrontation between Mr Byrom and Donnelly took place outside Donnelly’s flat in Forest Road.

The court heard accounts given by friends and witnesses as to what happened in the hours leading up to Mr Byrom's death.

The jury was told during a scuffle at the former Clarendon pub, in Colchester, Mr Byrom had accidentally injured Donnelly's friend, Mark Venner, with a glass.

Although Mr Byrom apologised, Mr Paxton said Mr Venner was “angry and aggrieved.”

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The court heard Mr Venner needed hospital treatment after the incident.

Mr Paxton said: “The defendant, it was clear, was close to the Venner family and was, we say, angered by what had happened.”

Gazette:

The jury were told that after leaving the pub in the late afternoon, Mr Byrom and two friends, James O’Connell and Sean Methven, got a taxi to a party, which was being hosted at Donnelly’s flat.

Mr Paxton said the three friends exited the taxi and saw Mr Venner’s car parked on the drive.

He added Mr Byrom, who was known as Granny to friends, wanted to attend the party to further apologise to his injured friend.

The prosecution allege the murder then unfolded quickly over a matter of minutes.

On the second day the court heard from witnesses who were at the scene on the day of the murder.

Read more >>> Live updates from court as witnesses in murder trial are questioned

James O'Connell had known Mr Byrom for around 12-14 years at the time of the incident.

Mr O'Connell was asked about the afternoon following a pub football cup final on Boxing Day 1998.

Gazette:

He said he was in the former Clarendon pub, in Harwich Road, Colchester, following the match when a "scuffle" broke out.

He said Mr Byrom "lashed out" with a beer glass in his hand, hitting his friend Mark Venner with the glass.

"It was in the face," he said

"But as it happened Granny was shocked himself and tried to patch him up."

Mr O'Connell said Mr Byrom went outside to try and help Mr Venner.

"He was upset it happened and he wanted to make things better," he said.

Mr O'Connell confirmed he had heard about a party in Greenstead that evening and said Mr Byrom wished to attend and make amends with Mark Venner's friends.

The court heard Mr O'Connell got in a taxi with friends Sean Methven and Mr Byrom and travelled to the party in Forest Road, Colchester.

Mr O'Connell said he ventured out to the street as he "heard a commotion."

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Mr Paxton asked: "What was happening, what could you see out in the road?"

Mr O'Connell responded: "Just Granny and this bloke just going towards each other, and Sean jumping about.

"It was a small fight."

Gazette:

Mr O'Connell said Mr Byrom was involved in a confrontation with "three or four men" he did not recognise.

He said one man was advancing towards Mr Byrom.

"It was about 30 seconds," he said.

"From when I came out and from what I saw, it lasted about 30 seconds.

"A couple of punches and it was over.

"At least, I thought it was punches."

Mr O'Connell said he saw Mr Byrom fall to the floor and saw blood.

  • The trial continues. Read more in Monday's Gazette