Shopkeeper says he saw men 'squaring up', as murder trial resumes

Jan Jedrzejewski, 41, died in hospital after he was found unresponsive close to Cromwell Road at around 11pm on January 12, following an incident in Keene Street.

Richard Wallis, 43, of Keene Street, Callum Banton, 18, of Fleetwood Close, Shaquille Crosdale, 18, of Fleetwood Close and a 17-year-old youth, who cannot be identified for legal reasons, have pleaded not guilty to his murder.

Jermaine Taylor, who was the shopkeeper at Cromwell Convenience Store, told Newport Crown Court, as the trial resumed today, that Mr Jedrzejewski came into his shop at around 10pm in a drunken state and fell asleep on the shop counter.

Unable to get Mr Jedrzejewski to leave the store, Mr Taylor banged on the shop ceiling to get the attention of the previous shop owner, Mirna Selvaraj, who lived above it, and telephoned his aunt.

Mr Taylor told the jury that Mr Jedrzejewski had urinated in the shop.

Once removed, Mr Jedrzejewski attempted to re-enter into the store but was stopped by Wallis - who had entered to buy some cigarettes - and Mr Taylor, the court heard.

Mr Taylor said he stayed in the shop but later saw Wallis and Mr Jedrzejewski look as though they were going to fight outside.

“They were squaring up in Keane Street. They were both ready to fight so I told them to go away,” said Mr Taylor.

He added that Mr Jedrzejewski was swinging his arms towards Wallis.

“He (Mr Jedrzejewski) looked like he wanted to fight with someone,” said Mr Taylor.

“He was off his head. He did not know what he was doing.”

Mr Taylor said he did not see any actual violence, and that Wallis walked off in the direction of his home.

The former shopkeeper also said he closed up early, and found out about Mr Jedrzejewski’s death the next day when the store was cordoned off by police.

Crosdale has also pleaded not guilty to perverting the course of justice, as has Catherine Coslett, 64, of Valley View Road, Cwmtillery.

She is not accused of murder.

Proceeding.