A group of men were seen wearing “facial coverings” the day a teenager was fatally stabbed, a court has heard.

Coby Tristram, 18, was killed after a violent incident around Abdingdon Avenue, Whitefield, last March, with a teenage boy accused of his murder and three other young men of his manslaughter.

A trial at Manchester Crown Court this week heard evidence from Greater Manchester Police fingerprint technician Sophie Pomferat, who was driving down nearby Mather Avenue that day.

Reading her statement, prosecutor Jamie Hamilton KC said: “I became aware of four males on my right-hand side, all wearing dark clothing, one was wearing a dark puffa jacket.”

He added: “I could see that they had some facial coverings on that covered the bottom half of their faces.”

Officers investigating the sceneOfficers investigating the scene (Image: Newsquest)

Ms Pomferat’s statement said that she had been off duty at the time and was travelling home when she saw the four men.

One of the young men appeared to be leaning against a bike and the group “looked concerned” when Ms Pomferat saw them.

She said she did not call the police because at the time the group did not appear to be doing anything illegal.

Police were called to the scene on Abingdon Avenue at around 5pm on Thursday, March 28 where they found that Mr Tristram had been stabbed.

CSI investigators on the sceneCSI investigators on the scene (Image: Newsquest)

He was taken to hospital where he died of his injuries around two weeks later, on April 11.

A murder investigation was launched and since then, a 16-year-old boy and a 17-year-old boy, who cannot be named for legal reasons have been charged in connection with the incident.

Also charged were 18-year-old Bolton man Shems Benda and 21-year-old Whitefield man Charlie Harrison.

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All four were brought before a jury for a trial at Manchester Crown Court this week.

The 16-year-old boy denies murder, manslaughter and violent disorder, while the 17-year-old denies manslaughter and violent disorder.

Benda, of Victoria Grove, Heaton, has pleaded not guilty to manslaughter, violent disorder, and possessing an offensive weapon.

Harrison, of Mather Avenue, Whitefield, denies manslaughter and violent disorder. 

The trial before the Honorary Recorder of Manchester Judge Nicholas Dean KC continues.