Two brothers accused of murdering Keighley car dealer Mark Hickman met with his love rival a week before his death, a Court heard this week.

On trial at Leeds Crown Court are David Deakin senior, 52, of Windy Bank, Liversedge, and his stepsons Mark Deakin, 30, of the same address, and David Deakin junior, 26, of Staincliffe, Batley. They all deny murder.

Mr Hickman - of Whin Knoll Avenue - was found dead at Bridge Lane, Shelf, on Februa-ry 13 last year.

He had been hit so hard with a blunt instrument - probably a baseball bat or crowbar - that his skull, jaw and cheek bones had multiple fractures, and his throat was cut.

Mr Hickman had feared for his life convinced that Richard Mears, whose wife he was having an affair with, posed a serious threat to him. He had met David Deakin senior at a Cleckheaton pub to 'sort out' Mr Mears.

But the court was told that the Deakin brothers were seen visiting Mears at his premises a week before Mr Hickman's death.

Car mechanic Stephen Wil-son, who ran a workshop next door to Mr Mears' premises, told how the pair had called with a damaged tyre.

The court also heard from Stephen Mallinson, who on the night of the car dealer's death heard on his radio scanner what he believed was one of the murderers talking on a mobile phone.

After several bursts of conversation the male caller said: "We'll get into the car, you come around the back, drag him down the field and slit his throat."

Mr Mallinson said: "I was shocked. I immediately picked up the scanner and went to my girlfriend's. I was shaken and I'd rather stop there with her than stop on my own and worry about what I'd heard."

The prosecution alleges that samples from the Deakin brothers' cars and from a fire in their stepfather's garden tied them to the murder scene, as well as records of mobile phone calls.

The case continues.

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