A Keighley car dealer suffered "catastrophic brain damage" after being attacked with a crow bar or baseball bat by three men he had hired to "sort out" a rival, a crown Court jury heard today.

The body of Mark Hickman was found on February 13 last year in Bridge Lane, Shelf, near Bradford, after he had been set upon by three men, prosecuting council Simon Bourne-Arton, QC, claimed.

David Deakin senior, 52, of First Avenue, Windy Bank, Liversedge, Mark Deakin, 30, who lives in the same street, and David Deakin junior, 26, of Cliffe Street, Staincliffe, Batley have all denied murdering Mr Hickman, who lived in Whin Knoll Avenue, Keighley

Outlining the prosecution case to the Leeds Crown Court jury, Mr Bourne-Arton said Mr Hickman, 32 when he died, had hired David Deakin to deal with a rival, Richard Mears, who had accused Mr Hickman of having an affair with his wife.

Describing Mr Hickman's death, he said: "He was hit about the head at least five times with a blunt instrument, forced used being such as to cause catastrophic brain damage, shattering the skull and his facial bones. That blunt instrument, according to the pathologist, was likely to be something by way of a crowbar or baseball bat."

Mr Hickman's neck had also been cut by a sharp instrument and he had stab wounds to his leg and body.

Mr Bourne-Arton said it was still unknown why the three family members had allegedly turned on Mr Hickman and killed him. The trial continues.

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