THE father of one of the men on trial accused of murdering Jock Straiton had known him for ‘a number of years’.

Nigel Goolding Senior, father of Nigel, 20, told Chester Crown Court on Thursday he knew the tax driver.

Nigel Snr, also a taxi driver, said his son Nigel had told him that he tried to pull Joshua Spruce off Mr Straiton because he also knew him.

He told his dad that he hadn’t punched and kicked Mr Straiton, saying: “Dad, I swear I haven’t.”

The court heard how Goolding told his father about the incident on the Saturday afternoon, before he was about to play cricket for Northwich Cricket Club.

Nigel Snr said: “He didn’t give me many details, he just told me has walking home from the 40th birthday party with Kevin Douglas.

“He said he had received a phone call from Josh Spruce who told him it was ‘kicking off’.

“He told me he went back down and there was a fight between Paul Blower, Josh and Jock.”

Mr Goolding said that his son had told him Mr Straiton had got up and swung a hammer at him.

Goolding then responded by pushing Mr Straiton to the ground and telling him to leave it.

Nigel Snr said of his son: “He is very mild mannered, very laid back.

“He is a genuine nice lad. He just doesn’t get into fights.”

The case continues.

-------------------------------------------------------------------

There is no court sitting tomorrow, Friday.

The next session is Monday March 16, starting at 10.30am.