Murder accused went ahead with fight not to lose face with girlfriend (From Daily Echo)

Murder accused went ahead with fight not to lose face with girlfriend

1:55pm Friday 5th October 2007 in The Dele Little Trial By Andrew Napier, Winchester Chief Reporter

A MAN accused of murdering Hampshire teenager Dele Little went ahead with the fatal fight because he did not want to lose face in front of his girlfriend, a court heard today.

Aaron Roche, 21, allegedly stabbed Dele Little, 15, outside West Totton Community Centre on February 3 this year.

Winchester Crown Court heard this morning from a 16-year-old that he warned Roche that Dele would beat him in a fight.

The boy, who cannot be named for legal reasons, said he thought Roche did not back down because he would lose face in front of his girlfriend, Kayleigh Shinn.

He said Dele was clearly winning the scrap.

Then Dele had walked away and lifted up his top to see blood across his stomach. He was rushed to Southampton General Hospital but died about an hour later.

Another witness, aged 15, denied punching and kicking Roche as he lay on the ground.

Roche, formerly of Ringwood Road, Lyndhurst, denies murder.

The trial continues.