A male model was killed in an attack that was 'so sudden, so quick, and so brutal' that he had no chance to defend himself, a court has heard. Luke Harden, 36, died in Bacup, Lancashire, shortly after midnight on November 1 after attending a Halloween party at Rosemount Working Men's Club in Stacksteads. Paramedics attempted to perform CPR on him as he lay on the pavement, but he died at the scene.
Defendant Attempted to Leave UK
Zimbabwean Bhekisani Matabiswana, 26, is accused of Harden's murder and has gone on trial at Preston Crown Court. Matabiswana attempted to leave the UK but was held at Manchester Airport two days after the altercation, the court heard.
Harden was allegedly beaten to the ground by Matabiswana and stamped and kicked to the head, causing catastrophic damage to his brain. Nicholas Rhodes KC, prosecuting, said the model was killed in around one minute, possibly because he had 'interfered' with Matabiswana's girlfriend Nicola Chadwick. Harden, who was drunk and may have been under the influence of ketamine and cocaine, 'was in no condition to fight', he said.
Injuries Consistent with Stamping
Home Office pathologist Dr Charles Wilson said Mr Harden had extensive facial bruising, a fractured nose and jaw and a fractured larynx. He also had bruising to his neck, bruises to his arms and shoulder, a swollen bruise to the back of his head, and a swelling to the brain. He said the bruising to the side of his face was a 'feature of stamping' which was consistent with him lying on the pavement while being punched in the face. The extent of his injuries makes it hard to determine the exact cause of death.
Matabiswana intended to cause 'significant injury', the KC said, even if he had not intended to kill him. Text messages recovered from the Zimbabwean's phone read: 'Beat someone up for trying to rape some girl,' 'some guy who tried to rape a girl, I beat him up and he died', the court heard. They also said: 'I just hit him, fists' and 'I'm trying to make a run for it if I get the chance'.
Trial Continues
Matabiswana's trial continues. Speaking after his death, Harden's family said: 'There are no words to describe how devastated we all are. We wish our Luke could see the outpouring of love from everyone who knows him. He is and will always be special to us all, as a son, brother, grandson, nephew, cousin, uncle, boyfriend and friend. You will be forever in our hearts and minds, and we are comforted knowing we can shut our eyes and your beautiful face will always be smiling back at us. Rest in peace, our gorgeous Luke, until we will meet again.'
