A passer-by has described an angry confrontation involving a group of rough sleepers on the night before Martin Dines’ body was discovered in a town centre car park.

On Friday, the murder trial of Heidi Kennedy, Darren Miller and Mark Hartley, entered its third day when the jury heard extracts from witness Andrew Sorrell’s police statement.

In the statement he describes seeing a group of homeless people outside a shop doorway in Crouch Street, Colchester, on the night of April 22 - the evening before Mr Dines’ body was found in St Mary’s car park stairwell.

Simon Spence, prosecuting, told Ipswich Crown Court Mr Sorrell made the statement to Essex Police on May 4.

The statement said: “On the evening of April 22 I was walking down Head Street to get cash from the ATM at the Royal Bank of Scotland.

“I then walked back down Head Street to get some plasters from an off-licence in Crouch Street.

“As I was walking up the street I noticed a group of individuals sat in the doorway of Fresh Look barbers.

“I believed them to be homeless because of their appearance and the fact they were sitting the doorway.”

Mr Sorrell said he saw two men and a woman sitting on the floor, thought to be Mr Dines and friends Lisa Peck and Karl Hughes, whilst two other men were stood up in front of them.

His statement continued: “One of the males was being very demanding and very aggressive.

“I could hear him shouting: ‘Get up if you’re man enough!’ and: ‘Get up now!’”

Mr Sorrell added: “As I was passing the group, the female sat on the floor was saying to the male in the camouflage: ‘Leave him alone’.

“I observed it for two minutes as I was walking slowly.”

Mr Sorrell then entered the off-licence where he could still hear the group arguing from inside.

He left the shop and his route took him passed the group again.

The witness added: “I heard several thumping sounds and I heard someone say: ‘Stop kicking him’.

“I just passed them and I turned back around to look at them.

“At this point I could not see any kicking but the position of one of the males of the floor was lower.

“The man in camouflage had moved closer and he appeared to be stood over the man who had sunk to the floor.”

Kennedy, 47, of Queen Elizabeth Way, Colchester, Miller, 46, of no fixed address, and Hartley, 32, of New Kiln Road, Colchester, all deny murder.

Miller has admitted to Mr Dines’ manslaughter while Kennedy has admitted assaulting Lisa Peck during the Crouch Street altercation.

The trial, which is expected to last five weeks, continues.