Rapper Crispin Siddon was armed with large comb when he was stabbed to death at barbers, court hears

Crispin Siddon was stabbed to death one day after celebrating his wedding anniversary
Fiona Simpson9 October 2017
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An alleged murder victim was only carrying a large comb when he was fatally stabbed in a fight at a barbershop in north-west London, a court heard.

Crispin Siddon, 34, was repeatedly jabbed with a Swiss Army-style penknife by Anthony Allen, the Old Bailey heard.

Horrified staff and customers at Cutz Barbers in Harlesden looked on as the fight, allegedly over a debt, broke out.

It was also caught on CCTV, the court was told.

Mr Siddon, who lived in Finsbury Park, died a day after celebrating his wedding anniversary with his wife, who was said by relatives to be “distraught” following the death.

He was described as “charming young man” who doted on his two sons, aged four and seven.

Mr Siddon made music under the name Skeng and co-ran label GB Records with fellow rapper Corleone.

Allen, 34, a regular customer at Cutz, had produced a blade after he was punched by rapper and record label boss Mr Siddon on the afternoon of May 5, jurors heard.

The trial is being heard at the Old Bailey
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Prosecutor Duncan Atkinson QC said: "The confrontation between Crispin Siddon and the defendant was started by Siddon, who approached the defendant in the barber's shop and delivered a punch to the right side of his head, knocking him off balance."

Mr Siddon had sought out Allen and said: "Where's my money," jurors heard.

Mr Atkinson said: "Whilst he may not have started the trouble, it was emphatically the defendant who finished it.

"He produced a folding knife, unfolded it and approached Mr Siddon with it.

"Crispin Siddon armed himself only with an 'afro comb' - a large comb with long teeth.

"The fact that he armed himself shows the level of threat the defendant suddenly presented to him.

"The defendant maintained the upper hand, making five swiping and jabbing movements with the knife towards Crispin Siddon - movements that were deliberate, and aimed with force towards Crispin Siddon's chest and abdomen."

Mr Siddon suffered a stab wound to the chest and he died later in hospital.

Allen, 34, from Wembley, also went to hospital with a cut on his finger and an injury to his thigh which he told staff came from an attack in a park by an unknown assailant.

Mr Atkinson told jurors the issue in the case was not who killed Mr Siddon, but why.

He said: "The prosecution case is that those injuries were delivered by this defendant offensively and in anger - anger not least at being assaulted."

The weapon Allen used, described as a Swiss Army-style penknife, was taken by the defendant to the barber's and was not part of the normal hairdressing kit, the court heard.

Allen has denied murder and possession of an offensive weapon in Cutz Barbers on Craven Park Road in Harlesden.

The trial continues.

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