Liverpool Crown Court heard Francis Perry, 40, and Paul Hagan, 36, were attacked after apparently becoming overfriendly with the girlfriend of one of the accused at a nightclub.

The prosecution said Raffaele Esposito, 25, became angry on a night out in his home town of Southport, Merseyside.

He, Sean Jackman, 33, and Joseph Sammon, 24, also both of Southport, deny murder.

'Scene of devastation'

It is alleged the three men attacked Mr Perry and Mr Hagan later at the home of a mutual friend in the town.

Jonathan Foster, QC, said the pair were found dead the next morning amid a scene of "devastation" at the house in Derby Road.

The dead mens' blood was also allegedly found on a baseball bat lying nearby.

The case continues.