THE Kian Tordoff murder trial is entering its final stages with all the evidence now before the court and a possibility that the jury will retire later this week to begin considering its verdicts.

Five Bradford men and a youth aged 17 are on trial accused of the murder of Mr Tordoff, 19, and the attempted murder of Matthew Page, 19, known as Matthew Lowther.

Both were stabbed on John Street in Bradford city centre in the early hours of October 10 last year.

Arbaz Khan, 22, of Yew Tree Avenue, Daisy Hill; Aizaz Khan, 27, of Yew Tree Avenue; Amaad Shakiel, 20, of Leaventhorpe Lane; Adam Qayum, 23, of Avenel Road, Allerton; and Mohammed Adil Hussain, 18, of Kite Mews, Lower Grange, all deny murder, attempted murder and wounding with intent.

The youth, who cannot be named because of his age, has pleaded guilty to the manslaughter of Mr Tordoff on the grounds of diminished responsibility and the unlawful wounding of Mr Lowther.

Today, leading counsel for the prosecution, Mark McKone QC, said the 17-year-old claimed he was suffering with psychosis at the time. But he appeared to be fine just hours before the killing and he had set about hiding the evidence afterwards.

He had exaggerated his symptoms of psychosis to avoid a conviction for murder, Mr McKone alleged in his closing speech at Bradford Crown Court.

Arbaz Khan said he was entirely innocent but he was armed with a machete and he joined the plan to take revenge, it was stated.

Aizaz Khan stopped his BMW at the scene allowing the victims to be chased with weapons. He said he was looking for a parking space but he got out of the car and ‘immediately moved toward the violence.’ Shakiel said he had taken alcohol, cannabis and laughing gas that night and was intoxicated or ‘mashed up.’ Mr McKone said he knew it was ‘a revenge trip’ in the BMW and he helped and encouraged the violence. He was ‘part of the team.’ Qayum was ‘enthusiastically involved’ although the prosecution accepted that he didn’t stab anyone. He said he didn’t see any knives in the BMW but he jumped out of it quickly because he was part of the team, and not to prevent trouble, it was alleged.

Hussain was missing from the dock this afternoon because he was unwell, the Recorder of Bradford, Judge Richard Mansell QC, told the jury.

Mr McKone will deal with his alleged role in the case when he resumes his closing speech in the morning.

The trial continues.