A JURY is due to return to court tomorrow to reconsider the verdict in a murder trial.

Mahmud Maksoudian, aged 22, of Madams Wood Road, Little Hulton, is accused of murdering 16-year-old Andrew Holland in a fight outside the Ashy's takeaway in Farnworth on Friday, August 17 last year.

He is also accused of stabbing and seriously wounding Curtis McApee, also 16.

Maksoudian denies the charges, claiming he was acting in self-defence.

A jury was sent home yesterday at 4pm after deliberating for more than four hours without reaching a verdict.

The court has heard how Andrew has been listening to music and drinking cider with friends just moments before he was stabbed.

But, according to evidence by a video link by Natalie Harrison at Manchester Crown Court, a fight broke out after Andrew went to speak to a man outside Ashy's takeaway.

She said she heard Andrew call to his friends, Jack and Curtis.

Natalie, who had been walking slightly ahead of the boys, then turned back.

She said although she did not see what happened, she thought Andrew had been stabbed and was trying to move away as Curtis went to help him.