Murder trial jury retires to consider verdicts over Leeds pub car park death

A JURY has retired to consider verdicts in a murder trial in which a man received fatal head injuries in a pub car park.
Andrew HullahAndrew Hullah
Andrew Hullah

Aaron Bellas, 26, is accused of murdering Andrew Hullah, 49, over the incident which took place outside The Shoulder of Mutton pub, in Morley.

The jury at Leeds Crown Court was told Mr Hullah, 49, was struck repeatedly by Bellas, 26, in the car park in the early hours of October 28 last year.

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CCTV footage was also played which appeared to show Bellas kicking Mr Hullah.

Leeds United supporter Mr Hullah dialled 999 as he lay with fatal injuries.

The men were friends and both lived at accommodation attached to the pub.

Jason Pitter, QC, prosecuting, said Bellas left Mr Hullah “senseless” on the ground after the attack and set about covering up what he had done.

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Mr Hullah used his mobile phone to dial 999 as he lay in pain.

He told an operator: “I have got a broken ankle.

“I have been battered, I can’t move.

“I’m laid on my back. I need somebody here now. Just hurry up please before I die.”

The court heard Bellas removed CCTV camera footage from the pub and fled as police arrived.

The footage was later recovered.

Mr Pitter said it was not immediately obvious that Mr Hullah had suffered a serious head injury.

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He had suffered a fractured skull and bleeding to his brain.

Mr Hullah’s condition worsened and he died six days later, on November 3.

Bellas pleads not guilty to murder and not guilty to an alternative charge of manslaughter.

Mr Pitter said the background to the alleged attack had been over the closure of the Shoulder of Mutton.

The pub had shut down weeks before the incident.

Bellas has given evidence at the trial.

He told the court he did not mean to cause his friend serious harm when he attacked him.

Bellas said Mr Hullah may have suffered fatal injuries after falling and hitting his head on a gatepost.