Detectives react after judge throws out case against men accused of killing teen

Detectives have reacted after four young men were acquitted of killing a teenager in Bury.

Coby Tristram, 18, died two weeks after being stabbed in Whitefield earlier this year. A murder trial began at Manchester Crown Court earlier this month but was halted today, after a judge ruled that the four accused could not be held criminally responsible for Mr Tristram’s death.

The judge ordered the jury to find a 16-year-old boy who had been accused of murdering Mr Tristram not guilty. He said that the evidence suggested he was acting in self-defence.

READ MORE: Gunman GUILTY of murdering Gooch Gang member nearly decade after gangland execution

Charlie Harrison, 21; Shams Benda, 18; and a 17-year-old boy, who were all accused of manslaughter, were also acquitted on the judge’s directions. The trial concluded after some of the defendants pleaded guilty to lesser charges. An inquest into Mr Tristram’s death is expected to be held at a later date.

Following the conclusion of the criminal trial, a senior detective said that her thoughts are with Mr Tristram’s family, and she understands the ‘deep sense of disappointment’ following the decision. After today’s hearing, Detective Chief Inspector Charlotte Whalley, of GMP’s Major Incident Team, said: “Our thoughts are with Coby’s family and loved ones who have gone through an unimaginable ordeal since his death in March.

“From the outset we have conducted a thorough and considered investigation into what was a complex and dynamic incident that led to Coby being fatally stabbed. We understand the deep sense of disappointment that no one will be directly held criminally responsible for his killing.

“We have supported Coby’s family throughout this case, and we will do all we can to ensure they get all the answers they deserve at his future inquest.”

The trial heard that Mr Tristram’s death came after rival drug dealers clashed over ‘turf’. Jurors in the case were told that all four defendants and Mr Tristram were armed with knives on March 28, and that they were all ‘low level drug dealers’.

Mr Tristam was rushed to hospital after being stabbed to the arm. He died two weeks later, on April 11.

The confrontation came after the 16-year-old and Benda were spotted on rival ‘turf’. Prosecutors said that Benda and the 16-year-old attended a property on Mather Avenue to ‘base themselves there for the day’, close to a property on Abingdon Avenue where Mr Tristram, Harrison and the 17-year-old were operating from.

After the prosecution closed its case in court last week, defence barristers argued that the accused had no case to answer. In his subsequent ruling, Judge Nicholas Dean KC, the Honorary Recorder of Manchester, said that Mr Tristam had been the first of the five to produce a knife, and added that the 16-year-old defendant had run away from an initial encounter before being ‘chased’ by Mr Tristram.

In his ruling, the judge said: “When all of the evidence relevant to the direct encounter between [the 16-year-old] and Tristram is considered, it positively suggests that [the 16-year-old] acted only in lawful self-defence.

“Therefore, the prosecution evidence, taken at its highest, is such that a jury properly directed could not reasonably conclude that [the 16-year-old] did not act in self-defence.” The boy said he was acting in self-defence following his arrest, and in a prepared statement claimed that CCTV footage in the case ‘speaks volumes’.

The judge also ruled that the 16-year-old and Benda should be acquitted of violent disorder after ruling that they had no case to answer. Harrison, of Mather Avenue, Whitefield, and the 17-year-old pleaded guilty to violent disorder and possessing an offensive weapon.

The 16-year-old and Benda, of Victoria Grove, Bolton pleaded guilty to possessing an offensive weapon. The four defendants were remanded in custody and are due to be sentenced next month.