Teenager was stabbed to death as rival drug dealers clashed over 'turf', jury told

A teenager was murdered as rival drug dealers clashed over ‘turf’, a jury has heard. Coby Tristram, 18, was fatally stabbed during an incident in Whitefield, Bury. Four young men have gone on trial in connection with his death.

A 16-year-old boy, who cannot be named for legal reasons, is accused of his murder. Charlie Harrison, 21; Shams Benda, 18; and a 17-year-old boy, who also cannot be named, are all accused of manslaughter.

The four defendants deny the charge and are standing trial at Manchester Crown Court. Prosecutors claim all four defendants and Mr Tristram were involved in ‘low level drug dealing’.

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Mr Tristam was said to be associated with Harrison and the 17-year-old boy. The 16-year-old boy was said to be associated with Benda. It is alleged Mr Tristram and the two others operated from a property on Abingdon Avenue.

Prosecutors said that on March 28, the day of the incident, Mr Benda and the 16-year-old attended a property on nearby Mather Avenue to ‘base themselves there for the day’. Jaime Hamilton KC, prosecuting, told the jury: “It is not being said that these young men were serious gangsters, but the prosecution say that even young, relatively low level drug dealers operate in ways which the normal business does not.

“Putting an opponent out of business is not about a better product or a slicker advertising strategy. There is a much more direct way of putting them out of business, and that is to make them leave your patch and your customers. That, the prosecution says, requires violence.”

The prosecution alleges that on that day all five were armed with knives, which were said to be a ‘tool of the trade’ in drugs. Mr