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Lovers discussed running away together after brutal killing of Folkestone man, murder trial jury told

13:35, 05 July 2022

updated: 15:50, 05 July 2022

Lovers accused of the brutal killing of a Folkestone man were discussing running away together to Blackpool just minutes after the attack, it has been alleged.

A jury was told that Shane Myles and Kayleigh Halliday were seen at Folkestone West Station holding hands, caressing, laughing and walking with their arms around each other.

Police at the scene of the stabbing in Coolinge Lane, Folkestone
Police at the scene of the stabbing in Coolinge Lane, Folkestone

Earlier that day, in January this year, Paul Wakefield, 66, had died from injuries at his home in Coolinge Lane.

Now 31-year-old Shane Myles, of Rock Avenue, Gillingham, and 36-year-old Kayleigh Halliday, of Crown Road, Sittingbourne, have admitted manslaughter.

But both are still on trial at Maidstone Crown Court accused of Mr Wakefield's murder.

Two officers were told they were looking for people called "Shane" and "Kayleigh" when they were directed to an incident in Cheriton Gardens.

Prosecutor Simon Taylor QC said: "When they arrived at 11.13pm there was no disturbance but they quickly discovered Myles and Kayleigh were there.

Paul Wakefield died in hospital after being stabbed at his home in Coolinge Lane, Folkestone. Picture: Facebook
Paul Wakefield died in hospital after being stabbed at his home in Coolinge Lane, Folkestone. Picture: Facebook

"As PC Miller approached Myles, he pushed her in the chest causing her to become unsteady and then he attempted to punch her with his clenched fist. Fortunately he missed.

"Myles then said: 'No-one's done nothing... I ain't done nothing. We haven't done nothing.'"

He later shouted at Halliday: "Hey Kayleigh, I love you!"

Mr Taylor claimed that when officers searched Myles, they found Mr Wakefield's bank card.

The prosecutor added that when Halliday was questioned by police, she said: "I'm telling you now, when I left Paul he was ******* fine.

Police at the scene of the stabbing in Coolinge Lane, Folkestone
Police at the scene of the stabbing in Coolinge Lane, Folkestone

"This is all mad. He had some girl there, we left him. We left, we don't have to lie about nothing. I've done nothing but help that man out."

In a later statement made to police, she said Mr Wakefield had accused Myles of robbing him.

"Shane had come around to apologise. Shane was let in and we all shared an alcoholic drink together.

"We sat in the living room for a few hours. I left with Shane as things were heated between Paul and Shane and words were had but I cannot recall what was said. Shane and I left."

Halliday then claimed her lover returned to the property "as he had forgotten something".

"Mr Wakefield sustained five rib fractures and given the lack of injuries to the defendants, it tells us that this wasn't a fight. It was a beating."

She added: "I have no involvement in any assault on Paul and no knowledge as to how this happened. When the police told me about an assault, I was in shock.

"I care for Paul. I would not do something like this to him."

But her lover later told police that Halliday smashed a vodka bottle over Mr Wakefield's head and stamped on his head before stabbing him with a broken piece of glass.

He alleged that Halliday told him: "I think we've killed him. Will you run away with me to somewhere?" And Blackpool was mentioned.

Mr Taylor told the jury: "Mr Wakefield sustained five rib fractures and given the lack of injuries to the defendants, it tells us that this wasn't a fight. It was a beating.

"It was a savage attack upon a 66-year-old man in his own house... in that sense it was a beating that was unjustifiable... a beating that both defendants were plainly involved in."

The trial continues.

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