AN ALLEGED murderer who is accused of killing a man who stole cannabis from him sent a message saying 'he is dead', a court has heard.

Frazer Brabant was assaulted and found with serious head injuries in the back garden of a house in Gershwin Road on October 31, 2019.

The 31-year-old father-of-two was taken to hospital and died on January 21, 2020.

Five men have gone on trial at Winchester Crown Court accused of offences involving Mr Brabant’s death.

READ MORE: Frazer Brabant murder: Man attacked for stealing cannabis, court told

Scott Neale, 35, from Spindle Close, Oakridge, has been charged with murder, conspiracy to commit GBH with intent and violent disorder. He has pleaded guilty to manslaughter. 

Prosecutor, Michael Burrows KC told the jury on Thursday, April 20, that Mr Brabant was attacked as “revenge” for a knife-point robbery where £1,800 worth of drugs were stolen from Neale. It took place three months before the day of the attack.

On Thursday, April 27, Neale's ex-partner Abigail Goodwin gave her evidence to the jury.

She told the courtroom that she had received a message from Neale on the night of the attack saying 'he is dead'. She believed this to refer to Mr Brabant.

Ms Goodwin spoke with Neale on the phone on the night of the incident.

Defending Neale, Stan Reiz said: "In that time he told you that he had gone to an address where Frazer was with other members of the group and is it right that he told you they had gone there to beat him up and do nothing other than beat him up?

"He and the others left [the garden] except for one who remained and the one who lagged behind them told them he had done something very serious to Frazer?"

Ms Goodwin said yes.

SEE ALSO: Frazer Brabant: Gang attacked home of murder victim's girlfriend

Mr Reiz continued: "He said all of them bar one proceeded to leave the garden. When they met up again with the 'one' he had admitted that he had gone over the top. They were angry at him and said 'why would you do that? That was not meant to happen'."

The courtroom heard that Neale told his ex-partner that "he (Frazer) was only meant to get a beating for what he had done and the 'man' had gone too far".

The four other men were charged in October last year with the following offences: 

Lee Wood, 32, from Griston, Thetford, Norfolk - murder, conspiracy to commit GBH with intent and violent disorder.

Forhad Miah, 32, from Chestnuts Close, Oakley - murder, conspiracy to commit GBH with intent and violent disorder.

James O’Connor, 24, from Fairfield, Whitchurch - murder.

Ricky Lewis, 40, from Candover Court, Basingstoke - conspiracy to commit GBH with intent and violent disorder.

Wood, Miah and O'Connor have also pleaded not guilty to manslaughter.

The trial continues.