A MAN who was found with two stab wounds in Basingstoke died from catastrophic blood loss after stealing drugs, a court has heard.

Troy Harkness, 22, and of Thornhill Road, Aldershot, was found seriously injured in Abbey Road, near the junction with Popley Way, on January 19.

He was taken to Basingstoke and North Hampshire Hospital where he was pronounced dead.

Jordan Graham Clarke, 25, of no fixed abode, has been charged with his murder.

SEE ALSO: Man denies murder in Popley after 22-year-old found with two stab wounds

Opening the trial at Winchester Crown Court on Wednesday, July 27, prosecutor Kerry Maylin told the court that Harkness was found by two members of the public, named as Kelly Doyle and Ricky Hennessy, on Abbey Road, close to the Apollo Hotel in Basingstoke.

Partners Ms Doye and Mr Hennessy were driving along Abbey Road when they noticed "a man lying on the ground".

The court heard how Mr Hennessy got out the car to see what was going on despite being able to smell cannabis.

Ms Maylin said: “He went over, and Harkness was lying face down on the floor. He was completely unresponsive to anything that Mr Hennessy tried, so he called emergency services.

“They stayed with him until the emergency services arrived and witnessed medical experts performing CPR.

“Mr Hennessy said he saw cannabis nearby and saw stab wounds to the man’s torso.”

Ms Maylin said Harkness died due to “catastrophic blood loss” due to stab wounds he sustained following an altercation in Melrose Walk.

The court heard from Ms Maylin that Harkness was riding a bike away from Melrose Walk towards Abbey Road after stealing drugs from Clarke and at some point in the "moments inbetween" sustained the stab wounds.

READ MORE: Teenager appears in court accused of murder in mental health hospital

Ms Maylin added: “Let me take you back to the 19th of January when a young man called Troy Harkness died. He died as a result of two stab wounds to his chest.

“According to the prosecution he was stabbed by another young man called Jordan Clarke. Both Clarke and Harkness were well acquainted and have been living in and around the Melrose Walk area.

“The prosecution say Jordan Clarke killed Harkness and even if you find he was defending himself, we know he had a knife with him that he brought to the scene [Melrose Walk].”

Clarke denies one count of murder.

The trial continues.

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