A student was murdered "for no other reason than the colour of his skin" by a Premiership footballer's brother after being subjected to a torrent of abuse, a jury was told.
Anthony Walker, 18, was with his white girlfriend and his cousin when taunts of "niggers, coons", and "Michael Jackson"
were hurled from a group which included Michael Barton, brother of the soccer star Joey Barton, it was alleged at Liverpool Crown Court.
Anxious to prevent a confrontation, Walker and his group walked to another bus stop - only to be pursued by Barton and Paul Taylor, 20.
Walker, girlfriend Louise Thompson and cousin Marcus Binns, 17, were then allegedly "ambushed" in a park by Barton, Taylor and others.
Walker was struck in the head by a single blow from a metal ice axe.
He was either falling to the ground or on the ground when the fatal blow was delivered from behind.
Barton, 17, denies murder and conspiracy to cause grievous bodily harm. Taylor admitted murder.
The court heard Barton telephoned brother Joey afterwards. "I was there but I didn't kill him," he told Joey. He admits attempting to remove the axe from Walker's head before leaving the murder scene.
The men later boarded a 6am ferry for France from Dover, driving on to Amsterdam and staying for four days before returning.
Neil Flewitt, QC, said: "The fact they [had] a vicious weapon is a clear indication they intended to cause serious harm. [The] killing was racially motivated."
The fatal blow caused the disintegration of Walker's brain to a depth of 6-7cm. Lacerations to his hand suggested he had tried to block the axe. The trial continues.
- INDEPENDENT
