Two men are accused of murdering an Oxford man after he attempted to steal their designer watch worth thousands of pounds, a jury has heard.

Ryan Bryne, 24, of Hathaway Green Lane, Stratford-Upon-Avon, and George Stephens, 27, of no fixed abode, are on trial at Oxford Crown Court charged with murdering Tobias Bruce, 32.

Mr Bruce, of Arthray Road, was fatally stabbed during an incident in College Lane, Littlemore at about 6.05pm on Sunday, February 25.

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He was pronounced dead at the John Radcliffe Hospital on February 28 after suffering from five stab wounds.

(Image: Family handout) Both men are also charged with a Section 18 – wounding with intent of Brandon Day, who was taken to hospital alongside Mr Bruce.

During the trial opening on Tuesday (October 1), prosecutor John Benson KC explained that two groups of men had a pre-arranged meeting on the evening of the incident involving the sale of a Cartier watch.

Mr Bruce, who attended the meeting with Mr Day and another man named Iain Milligan, was allegedly interested in purchasing the watch from Theodore Mullings-Fairweather, who attended with Byrne and Stephens.

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The men met and Mullings-Fairweather handed the watch to Mr Bruce to inspect and the card indicating its authenticity was handed to Mr Day.

(Image: Google)“The meeting was cordial to begin with,” said Mr Benson KC. “No animosity between them. Suddenly, without warning, Bruce ran off with the watch. Almost immediately, Day and Mulligan ran off after him.”

Mr Bruce ran towards Cowley Road, pursued by Byrne and Mullings-Fairweather. Mr Day and Mr Mulligan ran towards Giles Close pursued by Stephens.

An eyewitness reportedly saw Mr Bruce with blood ‘shooting from his neck like a fountain’ after being pursued by a man allegedly shouting: “Give it back”.

Mr Day had then driven past and shouted for Mr Bruce to get in his car. Despite being injured, Mr Bruce got into the car and reportedly said: “I’m dying, I’m dying.” He was later taken to hospital.

The court heard Mullings-Fairweather travelled to Dubai after the incident so is not on trial. He sent an email to a solicitor in April 'protesting his innocence'. 

Mr Benson KC concluded: “You can be in no doubt that Bruce was intent on stealing the watch and theft of a watch is a serious matter.

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“But theft is not the most serious of offences in the criminal calendar – the offence of murder is.”

Mr Benson KC told the jury the watch has never been recovered so it’s exact price is unknown.

The trial continues.