THE death of a 23-year-old man in Weymouth was caused by a ‘single well-aimed stab wound’ close to his heart, a court was told.

Nicholas Price, aged 43, of Weymouth, is charged with murdering Abdal Rahman Al-Rabia during an incident alleged to have taken place in Bath Street, on November 8. 

Price is also charged with the attempted murder of Ryan Smith, and the alternative count of wounding with intent.

He has denied all three charges and remains on trial at Winchester Crown Court. 

The prosecution’s case was opened by William Mousley QC this morning. 

The court was told an incident took place at a flat in Bath Street, Weymouth, on the morning of November 8. 

Mr Mousley QC said Price, Mr Al-Rabia and Mr Smith were in the flat with two other people at the time. This included a 16-year-old male and a woman.

The court was told Mr Al-Rabia and Mr Smith were attacked by Nicholas Price inside the flat.
In his opening remarks, Mr Mousley QC said: “Both Mr Al-Rabia and Mr Smith were stabbed with a large kitchen knife by Nicholas Price.

“In respect of Mr Al-Rabia, a single well-aimed stab wound to the chest in the area of the heart, a wound about six inches in depth, effectively the whole length of the blade up to the hilt.”

Mr Mousley QC said it appeared Mr Al-Rabia had ‘no chance’ to avoid the strike, which led him to collapse shortly afterwards.

The court was told the attack on Mr Smith was ‘sustained and serious’, and he suffered four separate wounds to his torso.

Mr Mousley said: “In addition, Price struck him with a hammer three times to the head and once to the hand.”

The court heard an injured Mr Smith left the flat shortly before 8am, shouting for help. 

Evidence was given yesterday afternoon from witnesses who lived in Bath Street at the time. 

Matthew Shepherd told the court he assisted Mr Smith in the street after describing what sounded like a ‘cry for help’. Mr Shepherd said Mr Smith said he had been stabbed. 

Mr Shepherd’s partner, Michelle Basset, also gave evidence and confirmed she called an ambulance for Mr Smith upon her partner’s instruction. 

After this took place, The court heard a woman emerged from Price’s property with a cut on her arm claiming someone had tried to rape her. 

The court was told she returned inside the house shortly afterwards after Price had come outside, who also re-entered the house.

The court was told police checked with the woman later that afternoon whether she had been raped or sexually assaulted but she confirmed she had not been.

Mr Mousley QC said a police officer and paramedic at the scene entered the flat to find Mr Al-Rabia leaning against a wall, clutching a Stanley knife.

The court was told CPR was attempted but Mr Al-Rabia was eventually declared dead at the scene. 

Mr Mousley QC said Price appeared somewhat ‘dazed’ at the time, holding his heads in his hands claiming he had been hit with something. 

Mr Mousley QC said Price told police that a man had stabbed the woman and begun waving a knife around. In response, Price said he got a hammer and started hitting him. 

Price was taken to hospital to be treated for his injuries. Mr Mousley QC said Price was later arrested on suspicion of murder. 

The court heard four interviews took place between November 9 and 11 with Price where he refused to answer questions.

Mr Mousley QC said: “After the very last interview was concluded, he made this remark to an officer who was present, ‘One of them had a gun in the flat.’”

The trial continues.