Winchester Crown Court heard today that Karl Quincey tried to evade police capture while on a ladies’ mountain bike which he had stolen following the stabbing of Barry Cooper in a block of flats at the bottom of Victoria Road, Devizes.

On day four of the Barry Cooper murder trial, the jury was told that Quincey was wanted in connection with the stabbing, which took place at about 4.30pm on June 27 last year.

PC Aaron John was in a police car searching for Quincey in Devizes when they spotted a man on a bike who, on seeing them, cycled into the car park of Sainsbury’s As the police car went down Monday Market Street PC John said the cyclist mouthed “F*** off” and raised his middle finger to them.

The officer recognised the man as Quincey and the police car pursued with its blue lights flashing, before PC John got out and gave chase on foot.

Quincey cycled into Old Swan Yard and collided with a wall of a kitchen shop. Quincey fell to the ground, hitting his head and was arrested, at 12.40am, on suspicion of the grevious bodily harm of Mr Cooper.

Quincey admitted stealing the bike to a police officer while being taken to Swindon Police Station. The bike belonged to Sally McCourt, a care worker at Southfield Residential Home in Victoria Road, who had left it outside the care home while at work.

The court heard that Mr Cooper, who was 28, and of Eastleigh Road, Devizes, arrived at Swindon’s Great Western Hospital at 5.3pm on June 27. He was unconscious and breathing, but bleeding profusely. The A&E team spent 45 minutes stabilising and rescusitating him.

Dr Michael Lok, registrar, who intubated Mr Cooper, said he saw 10 puncture wounds on the right side of Mr Cooper’s neck, which were consistent with stab wounds.

Mr Cooper was operated on twice at GWH, the first time shortly after arrival and the second the following morning, but, due to the extensive blood loss, he was clinically dead and his life support machine was turned off at 4pm on June 28.

The court also heard that when Quyincey was arrested on suspicion of Mr Cooper’s murder at Swindon Police Sation, he replied: “F***, seriously, Barry’s dead? F****** hell.”

Sgt Deborah Ellender told the court that Quincey was deemed to be at risk of self-harm or suicide so was kept under constant observation while at the police station.

The court heard that he told a custody sergeant “I have done nothing wrong, that’s the thing.”

And when they were taking forensic samples from him, he said: “Do what you want, I’m innocent.”

In a police interview he was asked if he was responsible for the murder of Barry Cooper, to which he replied: “Not murderer, no. I’m not a murderer, no.”

The jury was told he then exercised his legal right to make no comment when asked further questions.

Sgt Ellender said that officers had searched gardens in Longcroft Avenue for the murder weapon, including the home of Kevin Comley, and said that the weapon was not found.

Quincey, 33, of Longcroft Avenue, Devizes, has pleaded not guilty to the murder of Barry Cooper.

The trial resumes on Monday. Check here at lunchtime for the latest news