Drug Dealer on Trial for Murder Alleges Self-Defense

A county lines drug dealer, accused of fatally stabbing a young grandfather 22 times during a dispute over stolen narcotics, has informed a jury that her actions were in self-defence. Gavin Hubbard, 42, suffered the fatal knife wounds at his residence in Welwyn Garden City, Hertfordshire, on May 19. Prosecutors assert that Mr. Hubbard was a client of Tuche Coskun and had robbed her, leading her to his home with the intention of causing him severe harm. Ms. Coskun, 21, from Enfield in north London, denies the murder charge and a separate count of grievous bodily harm, which arose after an associate of Mr. Hubbard was injured at the property. At St Albans Crown Court, the jury heard that Ms. Coskun supplied heroin and cocaine, and that Mr. Hubbard had admitted to stealing drugs from her. George Carter-Stephenson KC, representing the defence, told the jury that Ms. Coskun felt constrained by debts owed to her supplier. “She cannot repay him, he knows where she lives and her family live, and the sort of retribution that might come if she can’t repay the debt.” The prosecution maintains that Ms. Coskun arrived at Mr. Hubbard’s residence armed with a knife, intending to inflict severe harm and recover her stolen drugs. Mr. Hubbard’s death was attributed to significant blood loss, resulting from nine deep stab wounds and 13 slice wounds. Conversely, Mr. Carter-Stephenson informed the jury that: “Mr Hubbard had a reputation for violence.” He further stated that the injuries occurred “during a serious struggle when the defendant believed if Mr Hubbard got control of the knife, he would cause her very serious injury.” The court was told that Mr. Hubbard had multiple prior convictions for assault and for carrying a knife. His drug use reportedly began following the death of his wife from cancer. Mr. Carter-Stephenson elaborated that Ms. Coskun became involved in drug dealing after being made redundant from her warehouse job, driven by a desire to support her mother. He asserted: “She was not well suited or equipped to be a drug dealer. She’s too nice. “She keeps getting robbed, she doesn’t carry a weapon. Don’t think because she’s involved in drug dealing she’s more likely to have committed a crime.” The court heard that Tuche Coskun told law enforcement officers: “I’ve stabbed him to death,” and subsequently expressed to Mr. Hubbard’s friend: “Sorry, I didn’t mean it to be this way.” Individuals acquainted with Ms. Coskun characterized her as “caring and responsible.” The prosecution’s argument posits that Ms. Coskun’s actions were driven by vengeance, executing “an ambush to seek reparation for him having taken her drugs.” His Honour Judge Mann KC instructed the jury that a conviction for murder hinges on their determination of whether Ms. Coskun deliberately and unlawfully caused Mr. Hubbard’s death. He also presented the jury with the option of an alternative verdict of manslaughter. The legal proceedings are ongoing. For updates on Beds, Herts, and Bucks news, follow BBC Sounds, Facebook, Instagram, and X. Copyright 2024 BBC. All rights reserved. The BBC bears no responsibility for the content found on external websites. Information regarding our external linking policy is available.