Harry Broadhurst 'murdered in family dispute'

A 22-year-old businessman was stabbed to death during another family's violent feud outside a West Midlands social club, a jury has heard.

Harry Broadhurst from Warwickshire was unknown to those involved in the incident, Birmingham Crown Court heard.

Liam Cole, 29, Paul McAteer, 32 and Scott Smith, 40, deny murdering Mr Broadhurst on 20 November, 2011.

The court heard the three had gone to Chelmsley Wood to attack Mr Cole's father, who was wounded with a machete.

Mr Broadhurst, of Henley-in-Arden, was at the front of a pursuing group as the attackers fled from outside St Anne's Catholic Centre.

He died after vital organs were severed, jurors heard.

Mr Cole, of Nearmore Road, Shard End, Birmingham, had recruited Mr Smith, of no fixed address, and Mr McAteer of Crossfield Road, Kitts Green, Birmingham, to help attack his father, Eamon Crawford, the court heard.

It followed a long-running dispute over child support payments and because Mr Crawford failed to recognise Mr Cole as his son, the court was told.

Mr Crawford, then 46, suffered wounds to his abdomen, head and hand in the attack.

Mr Cole, Mr McAteer and Mr Smith deny conspiracy to cause grievous bodily harm to Mr Crawford.

They have also pleaded not guilty to wounding Mr Crawford with intent and to assaulting a third person who was hit on the head with a hammer.

The case continues.