Man denies murdering victim found in bathtub

Dante Forrest, 37, denies murdering Marvin Dickson

A man who was killed in a "brutal attack" was discovered up to 10 days later in a bathtub, the Old Bailey has heard.

The body of Marvin Dickson, 40, was found by police officers on 20 September 2024 in the home of Dante Forrest in Wood Green, north London, after a neighbour reported an unpleasant smell coming from the flat.

Mr Dickson was stabbed with a blade and struck across the head with a weapon at least twice, prosecution barrister Catherine Pattison said in her opening statement. She told the jury: "This was a violent attack. A brutal attack."

Mr Forrest, 37, denies murdering Mr Dickson. The prosecution said the men knew each other.

Police arrived at the defendant's home at about 23:00 BST following reports from a concerned neighbour about a worsening smell coming from the flat, Ms Pattison told the jury.

Officers found it boarded up, with a padlock on the front door, and forced entry. Inside, they found a body in the bathtub, which was later identified as Mr Dickson.

Bloodstained pizza box

Ms Pattison described CCTV footage showing both men outside a pizza takeaway on the date the victim was last seen.

The last time Mr Dickson was captured on CCTV footage came shortly after the men parted ways. He was carrying a pizza box.

The jury was shown photos from inside Mr Forrest's flat of a bloodstained pizza box, matching that of the local takeaway.

Forensic testing confirmed the blood on the box was Mr Dickson's, said the prosecutor.

The victim's blood was also found on the shirt and trainers the prosecution said Mr Forrest was wearing on the night of the murder.

Photos seen by jurors showed bloodstains on the walls of the front room, where the prosecution said Mr Dickson was murdered before he was dragged through the property and into the bathroom.

Ms Pattison said police had regularly been called to the property, where people went "to hang out or take drugs", resulting in closure orders on the flat.

The most recent closure order expired on 1 August 2024, when Mr Forrest was permitted to return to the property.

In a written statement given to the police, summarised by the prosecution, Mr Forrest said he had been scared of returning to the property and did not have a key for the padlock on the front door.

The trial continues.