Murdered dad-of-four Marc Clarke stabbed to death after cocaine deal row, inquest hears

Feb 29 2012 by Helen Hunt, Liverpool Echo

WIRRAL DAD-OF-FOUR Marc Clarke was stabbed to death in a Bebington street after a row over a cocaine deal, an inquest heard.

The hearing into the death of Marc Clarke also heard how murder accused Steven Branscombe had resorted to carrying around a knife “for his own protection”.

Mr Clarke, a qualified chef, was stabbed to death outside shops in Teehey Lane, Bebington, in January.

The inquest into the 42-year-old’s death heard Branscombe accepted his actions caused Mr Clarke’s death, but denied intending to kill him.

The hearing also revealed:

Mr Clarke was waiting to collect his son, four, and daughter, seven, from school.

Branscombe claimed Mr Clarke harassed him for the past 10 years, although he never told the police.

That alleged harassment began after Branscombe questioned the quality of cocaine Mr Clarke sold him.

Branscombe said the incident in which Mr Clarke, of Portia Avenue, Bebington, was stabbed was a “moment of madness”.

Coroner’s officer Arthur Flower told the inquest: “Branscombe stated he knew the deceased and was harassed by him over 10 years.

“This reportedly stemmed from a period in which he used to buy cocaine from the deceased.

“On one occasion he complained about the quality of the cocaine and was told to ‘p*** off’.”