Court hears how man bragged about brutal attack (From Daily Echo)

Court hears how man bragged about brutal attack

12:06pm Saturday 5th July 2008 in Crime By Melanie Adams, Health Reporter

THE former girlfriend of a man accused of the attempted murder of a Southampton dad told a court how she heard his friend "bragging" about the brutal attack.

Jurors at Winchester Crown Court heard Kay Boyce describe how she overheard a conversation between Liam Edwards and Adam Stebbing in which they spoke about "two-footing" a man in the head.

Giving her evidence from behind a screen, the 26-yearold told the court how she believed Stebbing was boasting about attacking Scott Speirs, pictured, in Freemantle Lake Park, Southampton.

Edwards and Stebbing are on trial for the attempted murder of Mr Speirs, 34, on the evening of December 22 last year. Both deny the charge.

Miss Boyce explained that she heard the two defendants when they were talking in the kitchen at her Southampton flat, while she sat in her living room with Edwards' mum, Hilary Kellett.

She said: "I was sat in the living room and Adam was in the kitchen bragging about how he had two-footed him in the head.

"Liamturned round and said it's not funny though is it?' Adam said he deserves it'."

Kim Hollis, defending Edwards, asked Miss Boyce if she had heard Stebbing say anything else. She replied: "Yes. Did you see me laughing when I two-footed him?' Liam said it ain't funny mate is it'?"

Anthony Davies, defending Stebbing, asked why there were so many inconsistencies in her statements to police, which had initially failed to mention any conversations about the attack.

Miss Boyce, who split up with Edwards in March, said that at the time she thought she was protecting her boyfriend.

Both defendants deny the attempted murder of Mr Speirs and causing aggravated bodily harm to another man, Jon Ball, on the same night.

Stebbing, 32, of North Front, Southampton, also denies grievous bodily harm with intent on Mr Speirs.

Edwards, 27, of Cunningham Gardens, Bursledon has already admitted a charge of grievous bodily harm on Mr Speirs.

Proceeding