Michael Beckwith killing: Trio deny Harwich murder
- Published
Keen fisherman Michael Beckwith died of serious head injuries following an attack
Three people have denied the murder of a carer who worked at a residential home for mental health patients.
Michael Beckwith, 44, was attacked in Barrack Lane, Harwich, on 31 July 2016. He died two days later.
Scott Swift, 27, of Station Road in Dovercourt, Rebecca Ryan, 21, of Hilltop Rise, Weeley, and 18-year-old Joe Smith, of Harwich, are on trial for his murder at Chelmsford Crown Court.
Two others are on trial charged with assisting an offender.
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Tristan Biddlecombe, 24, and his wife Enderlein, 20, both of East Street, Harwich, are accused of washing and burning clothing worn by Mr Swift and and Mr Smith with the intention of impeding their apprehension and prosecution.
'Obsessed' with guns
The jury has been shown an interview Mr Smith's girlfriend Imogen Porley gave to the police.
She said Mr Smith told her he and Mr Swift had gone out on 31 July and "beat someone up".
Describing Mr Swift, Ms Porley told police he was "obsessed" with guns and described him as "mental".
When she met him on 2 August, according to her interview, Mr Smith told her: "Me and Scott went out and did someone in. You've got to be my alibi. You've got to tell them we went for a walk."
She said Mr Smith told her Mr Scott was beating a man with a metal pole.
The trial continues.