Accused: I didn’t know of death

A man accused of murdering Telford “gentle giant” Neil Williams during a street robbery denied knowing the victim was dead at the time he was said to have killed another man.

At Wolverhampton Crown Court yesterday Jabu Mbowane, 26, told a jury that he had searched the pockets of Mr Williams, but claimed he had then moved some distance away.

Under cross-examination from Mr Roger Smith QC, prosecuting, Mbowane admitted taking Mr Williams’s phone and cash during the robbery in a park off Churncote in Stirchley on April 5 last year.

But he claimed that it was Gabriel Bhengu who had 41-year-old Mr Williams round the neck in an arm lock and that he had moved away from the scene.

Mbowane and Bhengu, 27, from Wolverhampton who both previously lived in Telford, deny murdering Mr Williams.

The two men, along with Bhengu’s girlfriend, 22-year-old Kashia Allen, also deny the murder of 42-year-old Sedgley man Andrew Owen on April 15.

All three also deny a string of robberies, including an attack on Tracey Paxton in Silkin Way, Telford, on March 2 last year, when the victim was left unconscious.

Mbowane has denied using any violence towards Mr Williams and yesterday told the jury he left Bhengu with the victim after searching his pockets.

He said Bhengu then followed him away from the scene holding Mr Williams’s trainers, jacket and belt.

Mr Smith suggested to Mbowane that he knew what was going to happen when they saw Mr Owen walking home and that he stole items after Mr Owen was dead - the same as with Mr Williams.

But Mbowane insisted that it was not until Allen was arrested on April 28 that he knew Mr Williams was dead. And he denied knowing that Mr Williams had died when he was involved in robbing Mr Owen in Sedgley on April 15.

He admitted taking Mr Owen’s mobile phone and wallet, but not after he was dead and claimed it had been Bhengu who had the victim round the neck.

Mbowane denied being involved with Bhengu and Allen in other robberies when several women had their handbags snatched.

The trial continues.

By Arthur Mills