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A dog was hurled to its death and its owners wounded by two Romanian brothers who have left the UK, a jury heard today.

Vasile Serban, 24, allegedly stabbed Cristian Dutu and threw his American bulldog, Hindo, off a balcony to a street below.

His brother, Adrian Serban, 30, is accused of throwing a glass bottle at Mr Dutu's mum Mihaela Filip, cutting her hand.

Neither attended Liverpool Crown Court today for a trial over the incident, at Mr Dutu's Toxteth home, on April 21 last year.

Judge Neil Flewitt, QC, told the jury: "Both defendants have chosen not to attend their trial.

"Both defendants were born in Romania. Adrian left the UK on February 11, 2019 and Vasile left the UK on February 17, 2019.

"Neither has returned. In these circumstances, I have decided that the trial should proceed in their absence."

Jurors watched video clips including footage of Hindo flying through the air before hitting the roof of a parked van.

(Image: Cristian Dutu)

Adrian denies wounding Ms Filip with intent and an alternative charge of wounding. He also denies affray, which Vasile has admitted.

Vasile denies wounding Mr Dutu with intent, an alternative charge of wounding, and destroying property - criminal damage - in relation to Hindo.

Frank Dillon, prosecuting, told the jury: "It's a bit unfortunate that the law regards dogs as items of property and no more than that.

"I'm sure in the minds of some of you, they are far more than that."

(Image: Liverpool Echo)

Mr Dillon said Mr Dutu and his mum, both from Romania, lived on the corner of Wendell Street, off Smithdown Road, for around six years.

They had a flat above a shop but Ms Filip had ongoing problems with neighbours - not "necessarily the defendants" - but other Romanians.

Mr Dillon said a group of neighbours gathered outside her home on April 21, who were drinking and playing loud music in the street.

He said this group grew until it was about 30 people strong, mostly males, and played mobile phone footage of them shouting and screaming.

(Image: UGC)

Mr Dillon said: "She tried to ignore them, despite the fact they were throwing bottles in the street."

He said that after Ms Filip remonstrated with the group, males climbed up to their balcony, armed with bottles and knives.

Mr Dillon showed the jury photos of Mr Dutu and Ms Filip's injuries, including deep wounds to three fingers of the mum's right hand.

He said Mr Dutu's injuries included a wound to his chest, a wound on his knee and scratches to his chest and right shoulder.

The court heard that when arrested, Adrian admitted having argued with Mr Dutu in the street, but denied any part in a fight.

He claimed that Mr Duta had thrown a bottle at some children related to him and he stopped it, causing an injury to his hand.

Adrian also claimed that Mr Dutu came down from the balcony armed with a knife, but denied he used a bottle as a weapon.

Mr Dillon said he was shown phone footage, which identified Vasile as a man seen fighting Mr Dutu on the balcony.

(Image: Liverpool Echo)

The court heard Adrian denied that he himself climbed onto the balcony, but said that he tried to climb up, only to fall down.

Mr Dillon told the jury that this was "false", he was identified as one of the attackers, and his story was "simply untrue".

He said it was believed Adrian's case may now be that he did climb onto the balcony, but only acted in self-defence.

Vasile declined to answer any questions in police interview, but gave a prepared statement to officers.

Mr Dillon said: "Effectively he said this: He had drunk a good deal of beer.

"He ended by saying this: "Due to my intoxication, I'm unable to remember any of the events that led to my arrest."

Adrian, of Grosvenor Road, Wavertree, is defended by Jason Smith, while Vasile, of Bannerman Street, Wavertree, is unrepresented.

(Proceeding)