Killed teen had splinter hanging from head, court hears (From News Shopper)

Killed teen had splinter hanging from head, court hears

5:16pm Wednesday 22nd February 2012 in Bromley By Nina Massey

A TEENAGER killed by a plank of wood was left with a massive splinter hanging out of his head, a court has heard.

Tommy Warde was struck while riding on a motorbike as a pillion passenger in Star Lane, St Mary Cray, on August 9 last year.

The 17-year-old, from Kidbrooke, died in hospital two days later.

John Vincent, aged 19, of Sandpiper Way, Orpington, denies his murder.

Jurors heard that while Tommy was on the back of the bike, a plank of wood was thrown at his head.

Jake Knox, who was steering the motorbike, came away unscathed.

Prosecutor Sarah Whitehouse asked Mr Knox what he saw and felt at the time.

Mr Knox said: "When it got thrown and it actually hit Tom, I felt it hitting him, but I didn't realise how severe it was.

"He just let go of me. He went all limp and collapsed off the bike."

He added: "My automatic reaction was to stop, and I just jumped off the bike."

Ms Whitehouse asked: "Where was Tommy?"

Mr Knox replied: "He was on the floor, lying on his front. He wasn't moving. I ran over and tried to lift him up at first.

"But then I saw the blood running down the road.

"I managed to turn him over on his side. I saw a lump of wood, just a massive splinter hanging out of his head, through his skull.

"I held his hand and I asked him if he could hear me to squeeze my hand and he did - a very light squeeze."

When initially interviewed by police on the night, Mr Knox said he had not seen who had thrown the wood.

Stating he had been in shock and couldn't remember details at the time, in a later statement Mr Knox told police he remembered seeing Vincent at the scene with a plank of wood.

The trial at the Old Bailey continues.