Chesterfield man told father following frantic phone call for help after hitting former soldier with a bottle, murder trial told

The father of a Chesterfield man accused of murdering a former soldier has described receiving a frantic phone call from his son in the early hours of the morning.
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Connor Rose is accused of murdering Joseph Robotham following an incident shortly before 4am on Saturday, February 8 last year, when he hit him in the face with a bottle outside the Vibe Bar, in Holywell Street in the town.

Rose, of no fixed address, has admitted the 23-year-old’s manslaughter, but denies murder.

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Giving evidence at Derby Crown Court on Tuesday, January 26, Steve Rose told the jury that he had been woken by his phone ringing at around 4.30am.

Joseph Robotham died following an altercation at Chesterfield's Vibe BarJoseph Robotham died following an altercation at Chesterfield's Vibe Bar
Joseph Robotham died following an altercation at Chesterfield's Vibe Bar
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He told the court. “IConnor seemed scared and said that he had been involved in a fight. He said he had got out of the way but there were people chasing him, and could I come and pick him up?

“He seemed so scared that I said that I would. He said there had been a fight and his mate had been hit and he just needed to get out of there.

“He said he was near the doughnut roundabout, and when I got there I pulled over and called him again and he said he was outside the dance studio.

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“He said people had been chasing him, some of them were in cars and some of them had weapons. He said one of them had a taser. He said he had been hiding in a garden because he was so scared.”

Mr Rose told the court that he had driven his son to Dronfield, and didn’t know whether he planned to stay with a friend or his girlfriend.

Mr Rose later received a message from his son which stated: “I know I’m a c***, I’m sorry dad. If there’s anything I can do to make it up to you, let me know,” the court heard.

Rose was arrested the following day at his girlfriend’s address and was initially charged with causing grievous bodily harm and then attempted murder, the court was told.

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Following the death on Mr Robotham, 23, of Sheffield Road, Old Whittington, the following day, Rose was charged with murder.

The trial continues.

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