Camden New Journal - News: Tearful girlfriend tells jury of 'laughing' killer

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Camden New Journal - by DAVID ST GEORGE
Published: 10 May 2007

Tearful girlfriend tells jury of ‘laughing’ killer

A GIRLFRIEND told publicly for the first time yesterday of the moment a “laughing” killer attacked her boyfriend on a bus with a knife. The thug had been throwing chips from a paper bag and a fight began when he was told to stop.
Legal secretary Kerry Barker described at the Old Bailey how she had been enjoying a Friday night out with Richard Whelan in July 2005 when he was attacked on the top deck of a bus.
Miss Barker, 38, and Mr Whelan, 27, were confronted by “cruel and brutal” assailant Anthony Joseph, said prosecutor James Turner QC.
As they chatted on the top deck they were aware of Joseph flicking chips at another female passenger. Ms Barker said: “I said to Richard ‘he better not start throwing them at me’. He did. He was laughing. Richard stood up. I turned round and they were fighting. I rang the bell and started screaming. Richard told me he had been stabbed.”
Mr Turner told the jury that Joseph drew a knife during a “silly argument” over his anti-social activity and stabbed Mr Whelan seven times. One fatal wound was to the heart.
Only hours earlier Joseph, 22, had been released from prison in Manchester after serving five weeks on remand before being cleared of all charges.
When he arrived in London he may have been under the influence of drink or drugs before getting on the same number 43 bus in Islington, which Mr Whelan, a ticket agent from Gaisford Street, Kentish Town, and Ms Barker boarded.
Joseph admits being the killer but claims he was under a mental disability. Psychiatrists will be giving evidence about his mental condition. One claims he’s faking symptoms.
The trial continues.

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