The trio accused of Martin Dines’ murder were drunk when a violent confrontation took place, a witness has claimed.

Giving evidence at Ipswich Crown Court yesterday, Karl Hughes said when Heidi Kennedy, Darren Miller and Mark Hartley confronted Mr Dines outside a barber in Crouch Street on April 22, they had been drinking heavily.

Words were exchanged between the trio and Mr Dines but Mr Hughes said he was unable to make out the exact nature of the words which were exchanged.

Mr Hughes told the court the verbal confrontation lead to Mr Dines being punched several times and kicked by Miller and Hartley.

He said: “All I heard was shouting, yelling and swearing and then they actually hit him.

“I saw Mark Hartley and Darren Miller punching Martin and then both kicked him.

“They punched him once each and then kicked him at twice each.

He added: “I saw Heidi Kennedy punch Lisa Peck three times and pull her hair as well.”

According to the witness, Mr Dines was drinking a can of Frosty Jacks when the trio arrived and Miss Peck had been drinking that day, however he insisted neither was drunk.

Mr Hughes added: “All three of them, Heidi, Darren and Mark, were affected by alcohol when they arrived.

“It was clear from the way they were acting towards Martin.”