Murder trial shown knives and machetes

Mr Zuchlinski was ambushed by a gang of men in Davenport Street, Bolton, on the evening of February 6 and stabbed repeatedly to death.

Polish born Mr Zuchlinski suffered at least 17 wounds, including having his thumb chopped off and a 15cm deep wound to his chest which cut ribs and punctured his lung.

A jury at Bolton Crown Court has been told that on January 26 Tomasz Bubrowski visited the B&Q store and purchased a knife, a brush hook which was described as looking like a machete, gloves and a rubber mallet.

A receipt for the purchase was found in the glove box of his Honda Civic car, which the prosecution allege was used to transport the gang to Davenport Street.

When Bubrowski was arrested, six days after the killing, at a flat on Highclere Road, Salford, police searched the apartment and recovered several weapons.

Giving evidence from the witness box Det Sgt Derek Houston showed the court the items found in the kitchen and other rooms, including a black handled dagger and a large commando knife, two brush hooks, two crowbars and a black face covering recovered from inside a holdall.

Forensic examination of the Honda revealed blood on the steering wheel belonging to Mr Zuchlinski.

And finger and palm prints on the Honda were matched to Bubrowski.

The jury was also told that Bubrowski’s mobile phone, which was capable to taking four SIM cards, was found at the Highclere Road apartment.

The court heard that, when interviewed by police about the murder on four occasions, Bubrowski answered ‘no comment’ to all questions.

Alison Heyworth, prosecuting, revealed that another man, Matuesz Madej, was arrested at the apartment on suspicion of murder but was granted police bail during the investigation.

“He absconded and is still being sought by police,” said Miss Heyworth.

Bubrowski, of Cavendish Gardens, Bolton, denies murder.

The trial continues.