Man accused of murdering Mason Rist and Max Dixon denies his defence is ‘a nonsense’

A man who allegedly drove four armed teenagers to a street where two boys were fatally attacked in Bristol has denied that his defence case is “nonsense”. Antony Snook, 45, admits he drove Riley Tolliver, 18, and three other teens aged 15, 16, and 17, to and from the scene in Knowle West but denies knowing they were carrying weapons or intending violence.

The alleged attack, which took place on January 27 this year, resulted in the deaths of Mason Rist, 15, and 16-year-old Max Dixon. They died from stab wounds shortly after leaving Mason’s home in Ilminster Avenue at around 11pm, as heard at Bristol Crown Court.

The court was told that the victims had been mistakenly identified as culprits for an earlier incident involving bricks thrown at a house in Hartcliffe. Snook, who took the stand, claimed he thought he was taking the group to a "safe house" after the Hartcliffe attack.

He said he was directed to the Knowle West area and stopped, believing they had reached the safe house. The jury also heard of an existing rivalry between the Hartcliffe and Knowle West areas.

Snook, a landscape gardener, insisted he was unaware of any weapons among the group and was focused on performing a three-point turn when the attack occurred. It was only when he saw one of the boys, Mason, lying in the road that he realised what had happened, telling the jury: "That was the first time I seen him."

When asked what he believed had happened, Snook replied: “I thought they had got into a fight or something. I didn’t want to be involved with it.

“I didn’t think it was something that cost two people their lives.” Following the incident, the four boys got back into Snook’s car and he dropped them off before returning to his home.

Snook said he “wasn’t paying attention” to what was being said in the vehicle at that time, and could not remember if there had been a conversation. He told the jury: “I just thought it was something stupid between Hartcliffe and Knowle that I had been dragged into. I didn’t realise anyone had been seriously hurt.”

Adam Vaitilingam, representing Snook, asked: “Did you go over to Knowle intending the passengers in your car to carry out violence on anybody?” Snook replied: “No, of course not.”

He insisted that he had not seen that Riley Tolliver had been carrying a baseball bat when he picked him up on the way to Knowle West.

Ignatius Hughes, representing Tolliver, asked Snook: “You left with two kids and you picked up two more kids, one carrying a baseball bat, to drive to Knowle West to look for the people who attacked the house?” Snook replied: “No”.

Mr Hughes asked: “The whole purpose of the journey was to frighten the living daylights out of those who had done it, if you could find them, so that they wouldn’t come back and do it again? Snook said: “No.”

Ray Tully, prosecuting, asked Snook that his case was he was driving four boys to a “safe house”, did not see any weapons before or after the incident, or any violence taking place.

Mr Tully said to Snook: “I’m going to be suggesting to you that that is complete fiction on your part.” Snook replied: “No.”

Mr Tully said: “That is a nonsense. You knew exactly what you were up to and what they were up to.” Snook replied: “No.”

Mr Tully asked: “Your case is that you were taking these boys to a safe house? I suggest you’re taking the jury for a ride, aren’t you” Snook said: “That’s your opinion.”

A CCTV camera on Mason’s house captured how the attack lasted just 33 seconds – including the Audi stopping, four teenagers allegedly jumping out, attacking the two friends, returning to the car and it driving off. Mason and Max sustained fatal stab injuries and both died in hospital in the early hours of January 28.

The 15-year-old boy on trial has admitted murdering Mason but denies murdering Max. The 17-year-old boy has admitted manslaughter relating to Max but denies murdering Max and Mason.

Snook, Tolliver, the 16-year-old boy and the 17-year-old boy are charged with murdering Mason, together with the 15-year-old boy, on January 27 this year. Snook, Tolliver and the three teenage boys are charged with murdering Max on the same date.

The trial continues.