A jury was expected to retire today to consider its verdict on a man accused of murdering a Bradford club-goer.

The jury at Newcastle Crown Court was to be sent out to consider whether Michael George is guilty of murdering 33-year-old David Leach outside the Discovery Bay Club in Bradford's Manningham Lane.

George, 34, of Leeds, denies the charge.

Mr Justice Hooper, summing up at Newcastle, told how the prosecution alleged Mr Leach, of Siddal, Halifax, died after he was attacked near the Discovery Bay Club in Manningham Lane, Bradford, on March 22, 1998.

The judge said: "David Leach was not a fit man and had suffered a heart attack the day before. In fact, he could have died at any moment from a heart attack."

Mr Leach was attacked outside the nightclub and according to a pathologist's report he received 20 blows. Reminding the jury of earlier evidence, the judge said: "He died as a result of inhalation of blood. He received 20 blows to the head and three to the body."

Mr Leach was at the nightclub with his girlfriend Lisa Johnson and a group of friends, the court heard.

The jury was reminded of a fight earlier that evening between Mr Leach and his girlfriend at the Planet Venus nightclub.

George was among the party at both locations, the jury was told.

In repeating George's statement about the attack, the judge read aloud: "I saw nothing, I heard nothing, I heard nothing about the attack on David Leach."

The judge reminded the jury of the fact that George had fled from Leeds to London because he believed there was a contract out on his life.

After a day summing up, the judge said: "If you are sure that Michael George intended to kill David Leach then you must convict him of murder."

He reminded the jury to talk to nobody about the proceedings.

The case continues.

Converted for the new archive on 30 June 2000. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.