An alleged murder victim suffered ‘irreversible and permanent’ brain damage after being stabbed, a forensic pathologist told a jury.

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, of Arthray Road.

The pair were charged after Mr Bruce was stabbed five times on February 25 in College Lane, Littlemore, after attempting to steal an expensive watch from the men. He later died on February 28 from his injuries.

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Both men are also charged with a Section 18 – wounding with intent of Brandon Day, who had met the men alongside Mr Bruce and a third friend called Iain Mulligan.

During the trial on Tuesday (October 8), the jury heard evidence from forensic pathologist Dr Brett Lockyer, who told the court that Mr Bruce had suffered from ‘irreversible and permanent brain’ damage.

He explained that one of the stab wounds that Mr Bruce received had cut through a carotid artery on his neck.

The stab wound was 2.2cm in length.

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When asked what would happen when a carotid artery is ‘perforated or severed’, Dr Lockyer said: “In this case, the artery had been severed and as a result of that there would have been no blood going to the brain.

“It’s a high pressure blood vessel so when injured, blood would escape much quicker than from a vein.

“It would result in Mr Bruce becoming unconscious due to insufficient blood supply.”

Dr Lockyer explained that this, in turn, would then impact the blood supply to the heart.

“His heart did stop,” he said.

“Then they managed to restart his heart but there was a period of time for about 20 minutes where his heart was not beating which means there was no oxygen being delivered to his brain.

“That means the brain was starved of oxygen. It resulted in part of his brain having a stroke and it swelled.”

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He added that because of this, Mr Bruce had likely suffered ‘irreversible and permanent’ brain damage linked back to the stab wound.

Dr Lockyer said he could not tell from the injuries inflicted whether the wounds were caused by ‘one weapon or the possibility of more’ but it was likely caused by a blade with a ‘cutting edge’ such as a kitchen knife.

No blades were ever recovered from the scene, similar to the stolen watch.

The trial continues this week with the defence, which is expected to be one of self-defence, due to start imminently.