Two men will stand trial on Wednesday (November 15) charged with the murder of a young man at Cobham Services.
Quhey Saunders died in hospital after an altercation at the M25 service station on June 26, in which he suffered "serious head injuries".
Simon Baker, 22, of Green Lane in Outwood, near Redhill, and Mikey Coyle, 21, from Barnes, southwest London, will stand trial charged with his murder.
The case will be heard at the Old Bailey in central London. getwestlondon will be bringing you live updates from the court as the trial progresses.
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Key Events
Live coverage from day two of trial
Join us HERE for live updates from day two of the trial.
Our full report on day one of the trial
A young man was killed after a plasterer’s whisk was driven 10cm into his brain during a confrontation at Cobham Services, a court heard on Wednesday (November 15).
Simon Baker, 22, of Green Lane in Outwood, near Redhill, and Mikey Coyle, 21, of Barnes in west London, have both pleaded not guilty to murdering Quhey Saunders, who died after a fight at the M25 service station on June 26.
At the start of their trial at the Old Bailey on Wednesday (November 15), Sandip Patel QC, prosecuting, described the incident which led to Mr Saunders sustaining the “catastrophic head injury”.
Read more here.
Day One - a summary
Court proceedings have been adjourned until Thursday morning (November 16) at the Old Bailey - here is a summary of what happened on day one of the trial:
- The jury were selected and sworn in - six men and six women.
- Prosecutor Sandip Patel QC made his opening statement to the jury in which he told the court that Mr Saunders suffered a “catastrophic head injury” caused by a plasterers whisk.
- He said the “wound travelled 10 cm through both sides of the brain” and that the pathologist believed “severe force” would have been needed to cause the injury.
- He said that the “defendants do not dispute that they were there, that they armed themselves with make-shift weapons and that the whisk caused the fatal injury” - they claim they acted in self-defence, he told the court.
Opening statement completed - court adjourned
Prosecutor Sandip Patel QC has finished his opening statement and the trial has been adjourned until Thursday morning (November 16).
'Defendants do not dispute that they were there'
Prosecutor Sandip Patel QC continued:
The defendants do not dispute that they were there, that they armed themselves with make-shift weapons and that the whisk caused the fatal injury.
'Self defence'
Prosecutor Sandip Patel QC continued:
The defendants’ van was recovered the next day after being searched for by a police helicopter - no shovel was found. On the 29th of June, Mr Baker handed himself in at Guildford Police Station.
In his written statement he said in essence that he acted in self defence.
'Severe force'
Prosecutor Sandip Patel QC continued:
The pathologist said the amount of force required, in his view, would be severe force.
His examination also found wounds to Mr Saunders’ back and left shoulder.
'Wound travelled 10cm through both sides of the brain'
Prosecutor Sandip Patel QC continued:
Emergency services attended as soon as they could and Mr Saunders was unresponsive at the scene. He was taken to hospital and died on June 28.
The post-mortem shows the death was caused by a head injury caused by a penetrative wound track... the wound travelled 10cm through both sides of the brain.
'Catastrophic head injury'
Prosecutor Sandip Patel QC continued:
Mr Coyle can be seen removing from the van a large shovel.
Mr Baker then goes and takes out a plasterers whisk.
They can then be seen moving into the shop - by that stage both defendants are armed - Mr Saunders was empty handed.
Mr Saunders received a catastrophic head injury by the whisk... the defendant knowing at the very least that Mr Saunders was badly injured, ran off.
The place was busy with customers some of which were able to help police put together events.
"It appears that heated words were exchanged"
Prosecutor Sandip Patel QC continued:
The defendants stopped in front of the Ford Focus so as to block its path. They jumped out of the van and found Mr Saunders inside. It appears that heated words were exchanged, moments later Mr Coyle can be seen leaving the shop alone. Mr Coyle said something to Mr Saunders that caused alarm and what followed was a short and brief fight involving all three men which moved into the shop.
Defendants 'spoiling for confrontation'
Prosecutor Sandip Patel QC continued:
As the defendants drove off they passed a Ford Focus car - Mrs Connor was seated at the rear and she got out, Mr Saunders left a moment later.
As they got out, they glanced towards the van as it drove off and the defendants must have looked in their direction because they drove the wrong way around the one way system to go back towards them.
The prosecution say that this dangerous manoeuvre was so they could return to the forecourt as quickly as possible because they were spoiling for confrontation.
"Quhey Saunders attended a family wedding the day before his death"
Prosecutor Sandip Patel QC continued:
June 26 was a hot summers day, Quhey Saunders attended a family wedding the day before and was going back with a close friend of his. They decided to stop at the service station for refreshments.
It was about 3pm - the two defendants were travelling together in a van loaded with building tools and they had also decided to stop there.
Prosecutor begins opening statement
Prosecutor Sandip Patel QC has begun his opening statement to the jury:
This case concerns the death of a young man named Quhey Saunders shortly before his 21st birthday. The prosecution say that these two defendants are responsible.
The evidence, the prosecution say, comes from a combination of sources - eyewitness statements and CCTV footage.
That taken together strongly confirms that each defendant is guilty of murder.
Defendants re-enter court
The defendants have been brought back into the court as we get ready to begin proceedings this afternoon.
Trial expected to open at 2pm
Right, we’ll be live at 2pm when we expect the prosecution to formally open the trial.
The court has taken a break for lunch so join us in a little while for live updates.
Jury provisionally selected
12 jurors have now been provisionally selected and the court has been adjourned until 2pm so that those selected can confirm that they are able to sit for the trial period and do not know anybody involved - we will be back with live updates then.
Jury called to jury box
Prosecutor Sandip Patel QC is reading out a list of names of witnesses who could be called in the case. Those called to be jurors must make it known to the judge if these witnesses or the defendants are known to them.
The selection process has now begun and jurors are being called to the jury box.
“I have no doubt that you will find this an interesting case"
“I have no doubt that you will find this an interesting case”, Judge Leonard tells the potential jurors.
Jury selection begins
The process of jury selection is beginning - the trial is anticipated to last just over two weeks.
Judge enters court
Judge Anthony Leonard QC, has entered the court and proceedings have begun - we will be keeping you updated on our progress.
Defendants brought into court
The defendants, Simon Baker and Mikey Coyle, have just been brought into the dock. We are waiting for the judge so proceedings can begin for the day.
Earliest start at midday, but more delays expected
We’re told the earliest the case may start is at midday, but there are likely to be further delays.
Latest from the court
So you might be wondering why there has been a lack of updates so far from this case.
Well, as ever, court proves something of a moving feast with the case yet to be called on.
Our reporters there tell us there is an unrelated sentencing matter being dealt with at the moment.
We will, of course, be live from the Cobham trial as soon as it starts.
Heartbroken family's tribute
Quhey’s family issued a tribute following his death.
“Quhey was a very kind-hearted boy, always full of laughter, loved life and loved enjoyment.
“He was very respectful to his elders and the sick. He was always laughing, always happy and loved every day of life.
“He lived life to the full and his life was taken very young. He had his whole life in front of him and was taken for no reason at all.”
Quhey’s mother added:
“Quhey was the heart of the whole family. All our hearts are broken.
“The family is very close and he will be missed by his brothers and sisters. Quhey donated his organs and he has saved lives.
“I wish those people who have received Quhey’s organs well and I hope they live a long and happy life.
“We would like to thank everyone all around the world for their support and messages of condolence.
“Thank-you to all the staff at St George’s Hospital - they were angels - and thank you to everyone for their support, everyone has been very kind.”
Who was Quhey Saunders?
Quhey Saunders was a 20-year-old man from Stanford-le-Hope in Essex.
He was involved in an altercation at Cobham Services on June 26. He later died in hospital.
He was named as the victim by his girlfriend, Larosa Smith, in the days following the incident, who described him as ‘her angel’.
It was later revealed Quhey saved at least one life in death after his heart was donated to a “desperate” young man.
His brother, Luke Saunders, said his “legacy would live on forever”.
Who is standing trial?
Standing trial at the Old Bailey charged with the murder of Quhey Saunders are:
- Simon Baker, 22, of Green Lane in Outwood, near Redhill
- Mikey Coyle, 21, of Barnes, west London
Mr Baker was charged with Mr Saunders’ murder on July 3.
Mr Coyle was charged with Mr Saunders’ murder on July 6.
Good morning
Good morning everyone - welcome to our live coverage from the trial of Simon Baker and Mikey Coyle, charged with the murder of 20-year-old Quhey Saunders at Cobham Services in June.
We’ll be bringing you live updates from the Old Bailey today where the trial is scheduled to start at around 10am, although this is subject to the case being ready and prepared to go then.
Our reporters Zosia Eyres and Christopher McKeon are at the Bailey to report the opening of the trial, which should see the prosection set out its case.
Check back throughout the day for updates.
