Driver accused of murdering two teenage boys denies his defense is ‘nonsense’

The driver who allegedly drove four armed teenagers onto the street where two boys were fatally attacked has denied that his defense was “nonsense.”

Antony Snook, 45, admits driving Riley Tolliver, 18, and three boys, aged 15, 16 and 17, to and from the scene of the alleged murders in Bristol, but denies any knowledge of weapons or violence.

Mason Rist, 15, and Max Dixon, 16, died from stab wounds shortly after leaving Mason’s home in Ilminster Avenue, Knowle West, at around 11pm on January 27 this year, Bristol Crown Court heard.

The two boys, who are close friends, were wrongly identified as responsible for throwing bricks at a house in the neighboring Hartcliffe district earlier that evening.

Giving evidence, Snook told the jury of nine men and three women that he believed he drove his four co-defendants in his Audi Q2 car to a “safe house” after the attack on the Hartcliffe property.

He said the boys directed him to the Knowle West area and shouted “stop”, saying he believed they were outside the hideout.

The court heard there was a rivalry between the Hartcliffe and Knowle West areas of south Bristol.

Snook insisted he didn’t know the boys had weapons on them, and he was looking in his rearview mirror when Max and Mason were attacked because he wanted to make a three-point turn in his car.

The gardener said he then noticed the boy – Mason – lying in the road and told the jury: “That’s the first time I’ve seen him.”

When asked what he thought happened, Snook replied: “I thought they got into a fight or something. I didn’t want to get involved.

“I didn’t think it was something that cost two people their lives.”

After the incident, the four boys got back into Snook’s car, which dropped them off before heading home.

Snook said he “wasn’t paying attention” to what was being said in the vehicle at the time and didn’t remember if a conversation took place.

He told the jury: “I thought it was some stupid thing between Hartcliffe and Knowle that I got dragged into.

“I didn’t realize someone was seriously injured.”

Adam Vaitlingam, representing Snook, asked: “Did you go to Knowle with the intention that the occupants of your car would commit violence against anyone?”

Snook replied, “No, of course not.”

He insisted he did not see Riley Tolliver carrying the baseball bat when he picked him up on the way to Knowle West.

Ignatius Hughes, representing Tolliver, asked Snook: “You left with two children and took two more children, one with a baseball bat, to go to Knowle West to look for the people who attacked the house?”

Snook replied, “No.”

Hughes asked: “The whole purpose of this trip was to scare the living daylights out of those who did it, if they could be found, so they wouldn’t come back and do it again?

Snook said, “No.”

Prosecutor Ray Tully asked Snook if his case was that he was taking the four boys to a “safe house”, he did not see any weapons before or after the incident or any violence that took place.

Mr. Tully said to Snook, “I’m going to suggest that this is complete fiction on your part.”

Snook replied, “No.”

Tully said: “This is nonsense. You knew exactly what you were doing and what they were doing.

Snook replied, “No.”

Mr. Tully asked: “You mean you were taking these boys to the safe house? I suggest you take the jury for a ride, don’t you?

Snook said, “That’s your opinion.”

A CCTV camera installed in Mason’s home captured the attack lasting just 33 seconds – it included the Audi stopping, four teenagers jumping out, attacking two friends, getting back in the car and driving away.

Mason and Max suffered fatal stab injuries and both died in hospital on the morning of January 28.

During the trial, a 15-year-old boy admitted to murdering Mason, but denies murdering Max. A 17-year-old boy confessed to Max’s murder, but denies murdering Max and Mason.

Snook, Tolliver, a 16-year-old and a 17-year-old were charged with murdering Mason along with the 15-year-old on January 27 this year.

Snook, Tolliver and three teenage boys are accused of Max’s murder the same day.

The process continues.