'Love triangle' row over a woman saw man, 37, stabbed to death by his rival, 43, in front of a seven

A man was stabbed to death in front of a seven-year-old boy during a 'massive fight' with his love triangle rival, a court heard today.

Richard Hunt, 37, suffered stab wounds to the heart and lung at an estate in Suffolk after Jay Cotterill allegedly stabbed him seven times, Ipswich Crown Court heard.

Cotterill, 43, had been having an affair with Stephanie Harvey, an ex-partner of Mr Hunt. 

Mr Hunt, armed with a baseball bat, had driven Ms Harvey to Cotterill's home in October last year, the court heard. When they arrived he allegedly 'banged on the windows' of the home that Cotterill shared with his partner Debbie Williams.

A fight broke out between the two men and Mr Hunt sustained multiple fatal injuries. 

Cotterill has denied the murder of Mr Hunt and an alternative charge of manslaughter. He has also denied assaulting Ms Harvey causing her actual bodily harm.

Richard Hunt, 37, suffered stab wounds to the heart and lung at an estate in Suffolk after Jay Cotterill (pictured) allegedly stabbed him seven times, Ipswich Crown Court heard. Cotterill, 43, had been having an affair with Stephanie Harvey, an ex-partner of Mr Hunt

Richard Hunt, (pictured) armed with a baseball bat, had driven Ms Harvey to Cotterill's home. When they arrived he allegedly 'banged on the windows' of the home that Cotterill shared with his partner Debbie Williams. A fight broke out between the two men and Mr Hunt sustained multiple fatal injuries

The brawl happened the day after Ms Williams found text messages on Cotterill's phone, proving his relationship with Ms Harvey.

Ipswich Crown Court heard how the the two women 'traded insults' by exchanging a series of angry text messages and calls.

Prosecutors said Ms Harvey had been in a ten year relationship with Mr Hunt before they split up in 2022 and she started seeing Cotterill.

She decided to make it clear to Ms Williams that her relationship with Cotterill was over and wanted to give her a 'good luck' card to wish her well in her relationship with him, the court was told

Jurors heard how Mr Hunt took a baseball bat and drove Ms Harvey to deliver the card to the home of Ms Williams and Cotterill just before 9pm on October 8 last year

Prosecutor Andrew Jackson said Mr Hunt began banging on the door and windows with the bat when they arrived at the house in Ipswich Avenue, Sutton near Woodbridge, Suffolk.

Cotterill who had been in the shower, went outside and was allegedly hit over the head with the bat by Mr Hunt.

Witnesses said that Cotterill had grabbed the bat and used it to hit Mr Hunt of Ipswich and Ms Harvey before suffering an injury to his nose which bled.

Cotterill then allegedly picked up a large kitchen knife, which he used to repeatedly stab Mr Hunt.

Ms Harvey had tried to grab the knife from Cotterill and suffered a cut to her hand, said Mr Jackson.

Cotterill later told police that he'd stabbed Mr Hunt in self-defence after he was hit over the head with the baseball bat and had his nose bitten.

But Mr Jackson said: 'The prosecution case is that this is murder and not a killing done in self-defence. It was done in sheer anger and as an act of revenge.

A seven-year-old boy at the scene who cannot be identified for legal reasons said he saw Cotterill open the good luck note after Mr Hunt and Ms Harvey arrived at the house.

Mr Hunt began banging on the door and windows with the bat when they arrived at the house in Ipswich Avenue, Sutton (pictured) near Woodbridge, Suffolk, the court heard

Speaking in a recorded police interview, he said Cotterill had grabbed Ms Harvey around the neck when she went to deliver the letter.

He said that Mr Hunt had hit Cotterill with the baseball bat. He added that Cotterill had the grabbed the bat and hit Mr Hunt and Ms Harvey.

He added: 'I saw a massive fight. Jay found the knife in leaves and grabbed it. Jay actually stabbed him (Mr Hunt) in the face, and the heart and the back. He fell down because he got stabbed.'

The boy said he heard Cotterill shout 'f***' during the attack and Mr Hunt yell 'Ahhh'. He added: 'He got stabbed in the heart... I saw that happen.'

The boy said Cotterill did not stab Ms Harvey 'because he loves her'.

Jurors heard how Mr Hunt sent Cotterill a text message in the early hours of October 8 calling him 'a crackhead c***'.

Other messages he sent said: 'I will kill you' and 'I'll see you next time you are in Ipswich.'

Messages from Cotterill's phone replied: 'You d***head', 'You give it the big one. Answer your phone' and 'P***y'.

Hunt then responded: 'Come see me now. I am ready'.

Video from a bodycam camera worn by the police officer first to arrive at the scene showed her confronting Cotterill with a taser.

Cotterill could be heard on the video, saying: 'I have done nothing. I have come out with my hands up. I will tell you want happened. I protected myself and my family.'

The court heard that Mr Hunt suffered seven stab wounds, mainly to his chest and neck, including two that were individually fatal. One wound penetrated 13cm into his chest and damaged part of his lung and the main pumping chamber of his heart.

The handle of the knife caused bruising to Mr Hunt's chest when it was literally 'stabbed to the hilt' into his body, said Mr Jackson.

Mr Hunt had also suffered a stab wound to his right arm and cuts to both his hands which indicated he had tried to defend himself, he added.

The trial continues.