Home » Defendant regrets cocaine use before punching victim unconscious in hotel fight

Defendant regrets cocaine use before punching victim unconscious in hotel fight

JOSEPH DIX, the 26-year-old jointly accused of murdering Andrew Main after taking cocaine during a night out in Swansea City Centre, has given evidence before a jury sitting at Swansea Crown Court.

Dix and his co-defendant Macauley Ruddock, were in Swansea in July 2024, working on a construction project.  During their night out on July 16, they visited the Bank Statement pub where they met two women, Hannah Tedstone and Katrina Matthew, who were also staying at the Travelodge. The group later moved to the Coyote Ugly bar, where Dix first encountered Andrew Main.

There, Dix admitted taking cocaine, which he described as an isolated incident.

“I really don’t know why I did it. I’m ashamed,” he told the court.

Dix also denied allegations made by Miss Tedstone that he had threatened another unnamed person outside the Bank Statement pub, describing an argument with two men he referred to as ‘crackheads.’ He claimed the men were harassing him and his group, and he simply told them to ‘f*** off’  without making any threats.

Dix then described a physical altercation involving himself, Ruddock, Andrew Main, and Michael Bell. 

Dix claimed he was punched by Michael Bell, prompting the defendant to retaliate in self-defence.

He said he saw Andrew Main and Ruddock “wrestling,” with the victim overpowering Ruddock. 

Dix added that he eventually dragged Ruddock away, believing the fight was over, but Andrew Main unexpectedly punched him twice in the face. In response, Dix punched the victim.

 “I was scared,” he said.  “I had just seen what he was capable of. I panicked.” 

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He admitted that the punch knocked Andrew Main unconscious but he denied further assaulting him once he was on the ground.

In cross-examination, David Elias, KC, questioned Dix about why he chased Andrew Main, despite claiming to be frightened. Dix maintained his actions were driven by panic after being attacked. However Mr Elias suggested Dix’s actions were inconsistent with his claims of fear, but Dix firmly asserted he was acting out of panic.

Dix acknowledged that his blow was forceful enough to render Andrew Main unconscious but could not specify the exact strength.  When asked in cross-examination about the moments after Andrew Main’s collapse, inquiring whether he had seen or heard Ruddock hitting Main while he lay on the ground, Dix insisted he had not, stating his attention was focused on seeking help.

Dix claimed in his defence statement that he had seen Ruddock punching Andrew Main while he was on the floor.  When questioned by Judge Paul Thomas, Dix maintained he had been approximately one metre away from Ruddock at the time, but had not witnessed or heard anything. 

John Elias , KC, suggested that Dix and Ruddock’s actions following Main’s fall were not driven by self-defence but rather a sense of gloating. Dix denied the accusation, although he admitted to slapping hands with Ruddock after the altercation. The Crown also suggested that Dix was adjusting his version of events to fit the evidence. Dix denied this, stating he was telling the truth based on his recollection of the events.

The trial will resume with Ruddock’s testimony today (Wednesday).

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