Teenager was stabbed to death as rival drug dealers clashed over 'turf', jury told

A teenager was murdered as rival drug dealers clashed over ‘turf’, a jury has heard. Coby Tristram, 18, was fatally stabbed during an incident in Whitefield, Bury. Four young men have gone on trial in connection with his death.

A 16-year-old boy, who cannot be named for legal reasons, is accused of his murder. Charlie Harrison, 21; Shams Benda, 18; and a 17-year-old boy, who also cannot be named, are all accused of manslaughter.

The four defendants deny the charge and are standing trial at Manchester Crown Court. Prosecutors claim all four defendants and Mr Tristram were involved in ‘low level drug dealing’.

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Mr Tristam was said to be associated with Harrison and the 17-year-old boy. The 16-year-old boy was said to be associated with Benda. It is alleged Mr Tristram and the two others operated from a property on Abingdon Avenue.

Prosecutors said that on March 28, the day of the incident, Mr Benda and the 16-year-old attended a property on nearby Mather Avenue to ‘base themselves there for the day’. Jaime Hamilton KC, prosecuting, told the jury: “It is not being said that these young men were serious gangsters, but the prosecution say that even young, relatively low level drug dealers operate in ways which the normal business does not.

“Putting an opponent out of business is not about a better product or a slicker advertising strategy. There is a much more direct way of putting them out of business, and that is to make them leave your patch and your customers. That, the prosecution says, requires violence.”

The prosecution alleges that on that day all five were armed with knives, which were said to be a ‘tool of the trade’ in drugs. Mr Hamilton said: “A knife for each of these defendants, carried for use in connection with their drug dealing. A knife to be used if circumstances required it.

“Such circumstances arose in this case. A need to get a rival drug supplier off your turf. It is those circumstances, groups of opposing criminals prepared to resort to violence to further their criminal escapades, and armed with knives in order to do it, that led to Coby Tristram losing his life.”

Jurors were told Mr Tristam was allegedly stabbed by the 16-year-old during a confrontation in the street on Abingdon Avenue. Shortly after, he was seen sitting on the floor ‘propped up’ against a car.

Harrison and the 17-year-old ‘immediately’ began removing drugs from the property on Abingdon Avenue, jurors heard. Mr Tristam was rushed to hospital and died two weeks later, on April 11. After being arrested, the 16-year-old told police he had been acting in self-defence.

Mr Harrison said that he had seen Mr Tristam after the stabbing and had gone to help him. The other two defendants answered ‘no comment’ to questions.

Mr Hamilton said it was an ‘inescapable fact’ that Mr Tristam had been involved in drug dealing, and said that he had been 'prepared to carry a knife'. The prosecutor added: “Were it not for the fact that he lost his life, his conduct on March 28, 2024 could easily have seen him in the dock in this very crown court.

“But that does not mean that he deserved his fate. Or that those who caused his death are not responsible for their actions.”

The 16-year-old boy denies murder; manslaughter; and violent disorder. Mr Harrison, of Mather Avenue, Whitefield, denies manslaughter; and violent disorder.

Mr Benda, of Victoria Grove, Bolton, has pleaded not guilty to manslaughter; violent disorder; and possessing an offensive weapon. The 17-year-old boy denies manslaughter; and violent disorder.

Proceeding