Detective gives evidence in Ipswich stabbing murder case

Alfie Hammett, 19, and Joshua Howell, 18, have both been charged with the murder of Raymond James Quigley, 18, on January 17 in Westgate Street, as well as possession of an offensive weapon in a public place.

Hammett, of Larkhill Rise, Rushmere St Andrew, and Howell, of Wellington Street, Ipswich, both deny the charges.

Detective Constable Samantha Abbott, from the Suffolk and Norfolk Major Investigations Team, was questioned by prosecutor Andrew Jackson, who asked the detective to set out the movements of the person he says is Mr Hammett prior to the alleged murder.

Westgate Street in Ipswich after the stabbing (Image: Charlotte Bond, Newsquest)

The jury were led through tracking data obtained from a motorcycle and images on CCTV showing the movements of ‘male 1’, who Mr Jackson says is Hammett.

This man eventually met that day with another man prior to the incident labelled as ‘male 2’, and on Tuesday in court the defence barrister for Howell, Chris Henley KC, said Howell does not dispute he is male 2. 

Mr Jackson told the court on Tuesday that Mr Quigley walked down Westgate Street with two friends where they were confronted by Hammett and Howell.

He said: “When those two groups came together and Mr Quigley was spotted, Alfie Hammett and Joshua Howell went towards him.

“Alife Hammett having pulled a knife got to Mr Quigley first and he began to attack and stab James Quigley.

“Joshua Howell, who had also pulled out what you may think is a machete, and so armed and providing an intimidating presence prevented any of Mr Quigley’s friends from intervening to help.”

He said Howell chased one of those friends at knifepoint into a nearby branch of JD Sports, thereby making sure the friend could do nothing to help, and this allowed Hammett to kill Mr Quigley.

The trial continues.