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Andrew Rickwood died on July 20 last year, after being stabbed. Two men are on trial, accused of his murder
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Son says family of stab victim is 'scarred for life'

By Stephen Lloyd
February 10, 2012

A DISTRAUGHT man has relived the horror of seeing his father stabbed to death and die in his arms.

Ciaran Rickwood said he and his family had been scarred for life after Andrew Rickwood was killed close to their home in Basing Drive, Aldershot on July 20 last year.

Mr Rickwood was giving evidence in the trial of Stephen Stewart, 43, and his son William Stewart, 24, who are both accused of murdering Mr Rickwood, 45.

Both defendants, of Lancer Court, Aldershot, deny the charge.

On Thursday, a jury at Winchester Crown Court heard that soon after the incident Mr Rickwood made a statement to police about what happened.

But he later changed his statement on August 18 last year.

His mother Pauline Blastland told the court earlier this week she had seen her son hit Stephen Stewart over the head with a bat after Andy Rickwood had been stabbed.

The incident followed an argument in the street between the two Rickwood men and the two defendants.

It started after the Stewarts turned up at the Rickwoods' home in the early hours of the morning, the court was told.

But she denied either of the Rickwoods had otherwise attacked the defendants, or carried an air rifle out of their home, as alleged by the defence.

During cross-examination, Elizabeth Marsh QC, who is representing Stephen Stewart, said: "Mr Rickwood, you're a liar, aren't you?"

Mr Rickwood replied: "No I'm not."

He added: "You don't know what I was going through. I said I didn't want to be here (at the police station giving the first statement).

"My father had just been murdered and had died in my arms. I was in shock and I'm still in a mess now.

"You don't know what we're going through.

"I wouldn't want that on anyone and now we have to come in here and talk about it all over again. It isn't easy."

Mr Rickwood said the incident was still a blur.

"I still don't have a clear memory of it now.

"It happened so quick. It's like a nightmare and I feel sick when I explain it.

"It's easy for you to sit there and say how can you get things muddled up. My head feels like a roller-coaster. It's not just one night, it's scarred us for life."

The prosecution allege Andrew Rickwood was hit over the head with a crow bar by Stephen Stewart, which fractured his skull, before William Stewart stabbed him in the back while he lay on the ground.

The trial continues.

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