A MARTIAL arts expert was punched, kicked and stamped to death in a “brutal and sustained attack”, a court has heard.

The first day of Owen and Ryan Wood’s murder trial at Chelmsford Crown Court was told Liam Holden, 35, was killed after sustaining fatal injuries when he was set upon outside the Euro Lounge nightclub, in Grays, with his partner Mandy Patient.

He suffered 31 separate injuries to his head, arms, upper body and legs, three broken ribs and a fractured skull. He also had an imprint of a shoe on his right temple. The court was told all were caused by punching, kicking and stamping.

Mr Holden, from Grays, who had an 11-year-old son with Miss Patient, died on Sunday, March 10 at Queens Hospital, in Romford, following the attack in Morrisons car park, in London Road.

Brothers Owen Wood, 24, and Ryan Wood, 21, of Godman Road, Grays deny murdering Mr Holden.

The trial continues.

 

Full story in tomorrow's Echo.