A TRIAL into the death of a Polish national who was found on a Newport street started today, with four people in the dock charged with murder.

Richard Wallis, 43, of Keene Street and 18-year-olds Callum Banton and Shaquille Crosdale – both of Fleetwood Close – appeared at Newport Crown Court this morning.

They are charged with the murder of Jan Jedrzejewski, aged 41, who died after being found unconscious at around 11pm on Cromwell Road on January 12.

He died the following day at the Royal Gwent Hospital and an inquest, opened into his death, has been adjourned until the conclusion of the trial.

A 17-year-old boy, who cannot be named for legal reasons, was also in the dock charged with murder.

Judge Sir John Griffith Williams swore in a jury of six men and six women with a trial expected to last for six weeks.

Over this time, the prosecution will call several witnesses including paramedics, forensic pathologists and police.

A fifth defendant, Catherine Coslett, aged 64, of Valley View Road, Abertillery, is also on trial charged with two counts of perverting the course of justice between January 12 and April 25.

Shaquille Crosdale is also charged with one count of perverting the course of justice.

Prosecutor William Hughes QC, addressing the jury, stated the trial will explore the death of Mr Jedrzejewski, who worked at Island Steel in Newport.

This involves an incident that happened outside the Cromwell Stores, in Newport, on the corner between Cromwell Road and Keene Street.

All five defendants have pleaded not guilty to all charges.

The prosecution will open the case at Newport Crown Court tomorrow.

Proceeding.