Murder Trial Hears Man Died from 40 Knife Wounds in Drug Dispute

A murder trial has been informed that a grandfather sustained 40 knife wounds after being stabbed by a dealer during an argument concerning stolen drugs. Gavin Hubbard, aged 42, suffered fatal knife injuries at his residence in Welwyn Garden City, Hertfordshire, on May 19. According to the prosecution, Mr. Hubbard was a client of Tuche Coskun and had also robbed her, leading to the defendant visiting his home and killing him. Ms. Coskun, 21, from Enfield in north London, has pleaded not guilty to murder and to an additional charge of grievous bodily harm, which arose after a friend of Mr. Hubbard was injured at the property. During the opening of the prosecution’s case at St Albans Crown Court, barrister Neil Moore stated that Ms. Coskun, residing on Central Avenue, distributed heroin and cocaine within the town. However, he urged the jury not to pass judgment on her for being a drug dealer or on Mr. Hubbard for being a drug user. He remarked, “It was just part of their lifestyle; it may be chaotic, but it was their way of life.” The court was informed that on the evening of May 18, Mr. Hubbard had visited a pub where, as the prosecutor noted, “he admitted to a friend that he had twice stolen drugs from Ms Coskun, including that day.” Mr. Hubbard reportedly stated that he had stolen “‘white and dark’, meaning crack cocaine and heroin.” The prosecuting counsel further informed the jury that in instances of stolen drugs, “someone higher up the county lines chain expects to be paid for them.” He added that “Coskun would have owed a debt to the person who provided them.” The prosecutor asserted that she proceeded to Mr. Hubbard’s residence armed with a knife, intending to retrieve the drugs. Doorbell video footage captured Ms. Coskun moving towards Mr. Hubbard’s home around 02:00 BST on May 19. The prosecution stated that upon Mr. Hubbard answering the door, Ms. Coskun stabbed him nine times in the torso, legs, and back. He sustained an additional 30 knife wounds to his hands and arms during his attempt to defend himself. The court was informed that his friend, Stacey O’Connor, intervened to assist him and incurred minor injuries while attempting to restrain Ms. Coskun. The prosecution reported that Mr. Hubbard was heard exclaiming, “she killed me, I’m dead.” He had sustained a wound to his upper thigh that severed his femoral artery and vein, leading to his collapse on his driveway and subsequent death from blood loss. The court was informed that when police arrived around 03:00, Ms. Coskun told an officer, “I did stab him, but I didn’t mean to kill him.” The trial is ongoing.