TWO brothers accused of murdering a teenage boy by causing him drown in a deep fishing pond have denied the allegations.

David and Drew McGrail disputed claims that they made death threats to the victim, Dylan Aaron, after he had been pushed into the freezing water following a fracas.

David McGrail, aged 35, a non-swimmer, said that the death of the boy had been “an accident” and he had “not wanted any harm to come to him”.

McGrail, of Lancaster Road, Hindley, is on trial at Liverpool Crown Court alongside his younger brother, Drew, aged 27, of the same address.

They both deny murder and David McGrail also denies assaulting Dylan’s friend Daniel Bagnall by hitting him on the head with a torch when he tried to rescue the panicking victim.

David McGrail told the court: “He (Dylan) did not appear to be in any difficulties, he looked like he was staring through everything. He looked like he was off his head.”

The court has heard that 17-year-old Dylan had been drinking and taking cocaine before arriving at the scene, where David McGrail and friends had been night fishing.

David McGrail added: “I thought he was messing about. I could not believe what was happening. He did not appear to be in any difficulties. I first realised it was serious when he stopped in the middle of the pond.”

Questioned by his barrister, Peter Birkett QC, Drew McGrail claimed he and others told Dylan to get out of the pond. “I never wished for him to drown,” he said.

He went on to deny making death threats and added: “I accept things were said in the heat of the moment. He was arguing with me, I was arguing back. It was general swearing. He issued threats to me.

“I did not make him swim off, we all told him to get out.”

Cross-examined by Paul Reid, QC, prosecuting, he agreed that he had been angry and said that was because he had been attacked by Dylan.

The jury has heard that the victim and two friends went to the pond after his family’s car was damaged and he believed David McGrail was to blame.

The case continues.