Witness denies seeing man with 'massive knife' at scene of fatal stabbing in Sheffield

Noel Ramsey, aged 22, of Nottingham Street, Burngreave, pleaded not guilty to murdering the Broomhall man after a confrontation at Centertainment on Friday, September 21, 2018.

Witness Christian Youkpou told Sheffield Crown Court on Thursday: "There was a lot of screaming and some people were trying to get away. There was a lot of blood."

Dean George, for Ramsey, said that in a signed statement Youkpou made to police on January 4, he saw two groups near the entrance to the cinema and a car trying to run over a mixed race man.

The statement said: "I heard arguing and swearing. I saw two groups of people being aggressive to each other.

"I saw a car drive around and nearly run over the mixed race male. The car then parked up and some males got out.

"I saw a few guys fighting. One of the Somali males had a massive knife, about 30 cms long."

"Did you see a massive knife?" asked Mr George.

"No mate." said Mr Youkpou.

The court heard the statement said: "I thought they were going to have a one-on-one. That was until I saw the car nearly run the mixed race male over.

"I saw the Somali men pick up the guy who had been stabbed and put him in the same car.

"I saw the mixed raced man put the knife down near a bin then pick it up again."

But Mr Youkpou denied that was what he said.

The Recorder of Sheffield, Judge Jeremy Richardson QC, said that the entirety of the statement should be read to the jury, word for word.

He told the jury: "There may be a disparity between the two - but it is up to you to judge. It is all evidence for you to consider."

The court also heard from forensic scientist Dr Gemma Escott.

A second defendant, Layton Morris, aged 22, of Ferrars Road, Tinsley, denies assisting an offender.

The trial continues.