A pensioner died shortly after he had been taunted and verbally abused by a group of youths, a Court heard.

Abraham Cookson, 78, had confronted the youths who were shouting and carrying on outside flats in Cavendish Court, Eccleshill, a year ago, Bradford Youth Court was told yesterday.

Ian Howard, prosecuting, said there had been some banging on windows and messing about with motor vehicles which had attracted the attention of people living in the flats.

Nothing was done to any of the vehicles, but the disturbance was such that people looked out to see what was going on.

Matters escalated and three of the youths concerned themselves with Mr Cookson, goading him and forming a triangle around him, said Mr Howard.

The police were called and several people were arrested. They all admitted being present but denied behaving in a threatening way.

''Mr Cookson, sadly, died shortly after these events,'' Mr Howard added.

Mr Cookson, a widower, of Stonegate Road, Eccleshill, died from heart disease.

Two 16-year-old youths, who cannot be identified for legal reasons, have denied charges of disorderly conduct and using threatening behaviour.

Another 16-year-old has admitted common assault on Mr Cookson and will be sentenced later this week, together with a 17-year-old.

A 15-year-old and a 16-year-old have been bound over for a year for their part in the incident.

The trial continues.

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