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

A driver who allegedly took four armed teenagers to a street where two boys were fatally attacked has denied saying his defense is ‘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 on Ilminster Avenue in the Knowle West area at around 11pm on January 27 this year, Bristol Crown Court heard.

The two boys, who were close friends, had been wrongly identified as responsible for throwing stones 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 estate.

He said the boys directed him to the Knowle West area and shouted “stop”, claiming he thought they were outside the safe house.

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

Snook insisted he did not know the boys were carrying weapons and was looking in his rearview mirror at the time Max and Mason were attacked because he was about to make a three-point turn in his car.

The landscaper said he was then aware of a boy – Mason – lying in the road and telling the jury: “That was the first time I saw him.”

When asked what he thought happened, Snook responded, “I thought they had a fight or something. I didn’t want to be involved.

“I didn’t think it was something that took the lives of two people.”

After the incident, the four boys got back into Snook’s car and he dropped them off before returning to his home.

Snook said he “paid no attention” to what was said in the car at the time and could not remember if any conversation had taken place.

He told the jury: ‘I just thought it was something stupid between Hartcliffe and Knowle that I had been drawn into.

“I didn’t know anyone was seriously injured.”

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

Snook replied, “No, of course not.”

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

Ignatius Hughes, representing Tolliver, asked Snook, “You left with two children and you picked up two more children, one with a baseball bat, to drive to Knowle West to find the people who attacked the house?”

Snook replied, “No.”

Mr Hughes asked: ‘The whole purpose of the trip was to scare those who had done it, if you could find them, so they wouldn’t come back and do it again?

Snook said, “No.”

Ray Tully, the prosecutor, asked Snook that his case was that he took four boys to a “safe house,” that he had not seen any weapons before or after the incident, or that any violence occurred.

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

Snook replied, “No.”

Mr Tully said: “That’s nonsense. You knew exactly what you were planning to do and what they were planning to do.”

Snook replied, “No.”

Mr Tully asked: ‘Your case is that you took these boys to a safe house? I suggest you bring the jury, don’t you?

Snook said, “That’s your opinion.”

A CCTV camera in Mason’s home captured the attack lasting just 33 seconds – including stopping the Audi, four teenagers allegedly jumping out, attacking the two friends, returning to the car and driving away.

Mason and Max suffered fatal stab wounds and both died in hospital in the early hours of January 28.

The 15-year-old boy on trial has admitted killing Mason but denies killing Max. The 17-year-old boy has admitted manslaughter in relation to Max, but denies murdering Max and Mason.

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

Snook, Tolliver and the three teenage boys are accused of killing Max on the same date.

The process continues.