POLICE ignored two calls for help from a man who died after allegedly being attacked by three men, a trial at Chester Crown Court heard today, Tuesday.

James Straiton, 59, known to friends as Jock, died at North Staffordshire Infirmary on August 9, two weeks after receiving serious head injuries outside his home in Winnington.

School friends Paul Blower, 20, from Wincham, Nigel Goolding, 20, from Winnington and Joshua Spruce, 20, also from Winnington, have been charged with his murder.

At Chester Crown Court today, Mr Justice Roderick Evans heard the opening statement from the prosecution, Andrew Thomas QC.

Mr Thomas alleged that on the way home from a 40th birthday party held at Winnington Recreation Club, a group leaving the venue got into an argument with Mr Straiton over the noise they were making as they made their way home – with Spruce and Blower involved.

The three men had been at the party but Goolding decided to make his way home with another group.

The court heard that Blower and Spruce were arguing with Mr Straiton and his neighbours, who lived in the Sandybanks Flats development.

Blower had drunk seven or eight pints and had taken cocaine. Spruce had drunk five or six pints.

Mr Straiton, a part-time taxi driver, phoned police in an effort to solve the problem but was told that they were too busy to attend because of other jobs in the area.

The disturbance had been going on for 15 minutes and at this point he decided to go outside and chase the group away.

He armed himself with a hammer but as he made his way to the group they were beginning to leave the area.

The confrontation happened on the corner of Park Road.

At this point Goolding, who had drunk five or six pints, returned after receiving a phone call from Spruce.

Mr Thomas then alleged that Spruce attacked Mr Straiton, knocking him to the floor. Spruce then threw the hammer over a hedge onto the bowling green.

The prosecution then say the group started kicking him to the head and body.

He suffered a broken nose, broken cheekbones, fractured skull, broken right arm and three broken ribs.

He died in hospital ten days after the alleged attack as a result of a subdural haemorrhage, which causes blood to accumulate in spaces in the brain causing pressure.

In interview Spruce admitted to being in the group creating a disturbance outside the flats but said it was Blower and Goolding who carried on kicking Mr Straiton after he had knocked the hammer from his hands.

Blower denied he had threatened Mr Straiton but said he was present when the assault took place. He said he saw Spruce kick Mr Straiton.

Goolding said he had gone back to the flats after receiving a phone call from Spruce so they could walk home together.

He admitted to punching Mr Straiton in the face but only to stop him using the hammer. He said he saw Blower and Spruce kicking Mr Straiton.

The trial continues.