A TEENAGER stands accused of murder after allegedly filming and participating in an ‘ugly and sustained assault’ on a Weston man, a court heard today (Thurs).

The 16-year-old female, who cannot be named for legal reasons, has denied murdering Mark Roberts in October last year.

Ryan Sheppard, aged 18 and of Sunnyside Road, has pleaded guilty to killing him.

Mr Roberts, aged 35, was found injured in Baildon Road on Weston’s Bournville estate in the early hours of October 12 and died the following day.

Bristol Crown Court heard how Sheppard, then aged 17, asked Mr Roberts for a cigarette or to go to the pub, before punching him to the floor.

The girl is alleged to have punched him twice, before Sheppard kicked and stamped on him.

The 16-year-old reportedly told police she filmed some of Sheppard’s attack on her mobile phone, before later deleting the footage.

The jury, made up of seven women and five men, heard how the teenager also told police she tried to pull Sheppard off, and denied playing any role in the violence.

But a 16-year-old witness, who also cannot be named for legal reasons, said the teenager punched Mr Roberts twice.

The prosecution said: “The decision to video the assault was a clear encouragement to Sheppard as he attacked Mark Roberts and makes her criminally responsible, alongside Sheppard, for his death.”

Prosecutor Adam Vaitilingam also alleges the teenager punched Mr Roberts twice, which they say makes it a joint attack, for which she carried joint responsibility.

The teenager’s defence team declined to give an opening statement, and the trial continues.

* For the full story and to read what the teenager told police, pick up a copy of the Mercury next Thursday.