Man murdered flatmate then left him lying in the street as they walked home from pub, jury told

A man was murdered by his flatmate after a row broke out as they walked home from the pub, prosecutors allege. Lee Burns, 38, is on trial accused of the murder of 45-year-old Vincent ‘Vinny’ McDonagh.

Prosecutors say that Mr Burns repeatedly punched Mr McDonagh and stamped on his head after he fell over, following a scuffle in the street in Oldham. He denies murder, and his barrister said Mr Burns argues he was acting in self-defence.

Jurors heard that Mr McDonagh had earlier lent Mr Burns £20 before they attended a nearby pub together. As they walked home a row developed which ‘wound Mr Burns up significantly’, the court heard.

READ MORE: Named for the first time: The boy, 17, who murdered man then sent voice note 'boasting' about it

“It’s not completely clear as to what the dispute between them was about,” prosecutor Rob Hall said. “It may have been something as innocuous as Mr McDonagh making a call on Mr Burns’ phone.”

On the first day of the trial at Manchester Crown Court, jurors heard that the pair both lived in separate rooms in a block of flats on Worsley Street in Oldham. Mr Burns had moved there in September last year, while Mr McDonagh arrived the following month.

Mr Hall said: “On the evening of Thursday November 9, 2023, Vincent or Vinny McDonagh, who was 45-years–old at the time, lent £20 to a co-resident in his flat block. That co-resident was the defendant Lee Burns, who was 38-years-old at the time.

“The reason for the lending of that money was so that they could both go to the pub together that Thursday night. It would appear that Mr McDonagh was well disposed towards Mr Burns, hence the lending of the £20.”

Jurors heard that at about 6.45pm, the pair took a taxi to the Manor Inn pub on Abbey Hills