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Pub fun of Fylde knife killers after vicious attack
TWO killers were seen drinking and laughing in a pub just hours after beating their friend to death.
Stephen Rumsam, 28, was stabbed, stamped on and bludgeoned by three men inside his Blackpool home.
The court heard how the victim was also strangled with a cloth and a cushion was placed over his mouth.
Attackers Edmund Forbes, Simon Smith and Martyn Wright were seen leaving Mr Rumsam's flat on Norbreck Road, Norbreck, before walking home to Fleetwood.
Forbes and Smith later travelled back to Norbreck. They went into the flat, saw their victim was dead and then headed to a nearby pub where they were later seen drinking and laughing.
All three men have admitted they killed Mr Rumsam, who was described to Preston Crown Court as a "vulnerable" man.
Stuart Denney QC, prosecuting, said the victim suffered puncture wounds inflicted by a knife with "deliberate and repeated thrusts".
He also suffered haemorrhages to the eyes and upper face, as well as fractures to the skull, left cheek bone, eye socket and ribs.
The attack happened after Forbes, Smith and Wright went round to drink at Mr Rumsam's flat at around 2.30pm on Friday May 30.
Mr Denney said: "All of them drank beer and other alcohol. At 5.30pm raised voices were heard – one voice was heard saying 'get out'. Mr Rumsam must have said that."
It was suggested Forbes launched an attack after being "taunted" about Mr Rumsam's "intimacy" with Forbes' ex-girlfriend.
Although it is not known exactly how long the attack lasted. Police described it as "vicious and seemingly unprovoked" and say the men were at the flat for five hours.
The prosecution said the three men were seen leaving the premises from the rear entrance and walked back to Fleetwood. Forbes and Smith were later seen travelling back to Norbreck.
Mr Denney added: "It is the Crown's contention that they revisited the flat where they found that Mr Rumsam was indeed dead.
"At 11pm the two of them entered Copper Face Jacks. They were seen drinking some beer and apparently having a laugh.
"Having left the pub the two of them returned to Forbes' flat.
"There is no record of any of the defendants trying to contact the emergency services or anyone else who might have rendered assistance."
Mr Rumsam's body was discovered the following morning by his landlady.
Mukhtar Hussain, QC, defending Forbes, said: "This is a sad and tragic case and ever since this incident and for the rest of his life Forbes will have to live with the fact that he was responsible for the death of a friend."
Forbes, 39, of Noblett Court, pleaded guilty to murder, while Smith, 27, of Wyre Street, and Wright, 25, of Homestead Way, both pleaded guilty to manslaughter.
John Bromley-Davenport, QC, defending Wright, said: "His behaviour is little short of inexplicable. He feels very great remorse for what happened that night."
While David Lane, QC, speaking on behalf of Smith, said: "He is extremely remorseful."
Sentencing will take place next Wednesday.
(Proceeding)
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Weather for Lancaster
Friday 25 May 2012
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Temperature: 13 C to 23 C
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