Three men brutally hacked to death a rival after throwing acid in his face in a revenge killing designed to show they were "not to be messed with", a jury has heard.
Stephen Dougherty, 35, Paul West, 29, and Sam Monteith, 32, are alleged to have broken into Danny Gough's girlfriend's house in Stockbury Road, Woodside, to murder him as a feud of escalating violence reached its peak.
Prosecutors today told the Old Bailey the trio carried out the "truly vicious" killing in the early hours of December 14, 2010, five weeks after 24-year-old Mr Gough broke into Mr Monteith's house and attacked him in retaliation for him beating up his friend, Leanne Meredith.
Mr Gough died of shock and haemorrhage from multiple wounds, thought to have been inflicted by an axe or a machete.
His killers are also sprayed a caustic substance into the eyes of any potential witnesses, including his girlfriend, who had been sleeping beside him when the attack happened.
Prosecutor Mark Heywood QC told the jury: "This is a case of a truly viscious killing. It was motivated by vengeance and the need perhaps to save face.
"They dressed for the business and armed themselves with weapons could be used silently but deadly.
"With these they went to the door and shouted 'police' for cover, then forced their way through and went up to the bedroom in which Danny Gough was sleeping with his girlfriend.
"They hurled him to the floor and hacked and stabbed at hid body. They left only when one of them said 'he's dead'."
He added: "This viscious and extreme violence had a purpose. It was motivated by revenge and to send a message; that these men were not to be trifled with."
Mr Heywood read transcripts of goading text messages sent between Mr Dougherty and Mr Gough, following the raid on Mr Monteith's house in Frairs Road, Wallington.
In one, Mr Dougherty said: "Tell that Leanne that she has started something that you ain't big enough to handle." In another, he threatened to spend £20,000 on "putting you all over the place" and told Mr Gough he had been "paid for".
Mr Dougherty, of Essex, and Mr West, originally from Sutton but now living in Slough, are on trial for the murder of Mr Gough.
Mr Monteith also faces a murder charge but is currently too ill stand trial.
All three deny murder.
The trial continues.
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