West Mersea murder trial accused claimed to be 'like a son' to couple

Stephen and Carol Baxter were found dead in their armchairs by their daughter at their home on Mersea Island, the trial has heard

A man accused of fatally poisoning a married couple with fentanyl said he was "almost like a son" to them, a trial heard.

Stephen Baxter, 61, and wife Carol, 64, were found dead in their armchairs at their home in West Mersea, Essex, in April.

Luke D'Wit, 34, of Churchfields in the town, is alleged to have rewritten a will the day after they were found dead, making himself a beneficiary.

He denies murdering the couple.

Mr D'Wit was a family friend who worked for the couple's bathmat business Cazsplash, but the jury at Chelmsford Crown Court was previously told he had "rewritten their will and stolen Carol's jewellery" to "benefit from their deaths".

Community first responder Robert Boorman attended the couple's home on Victory Road and said he was led to a conservatory where the pair were in individual armchairs and there was "a lot of broken glass".

The couple were found dead in the conservatory of their West Mersea home by their 22-year-old daughter Ellie

He was later told by the couple's daughter, Ellie Baxter, that a neighbour had given them a hammer so they could break the glass to gain access to the conservatory.

He said that the couple's daughter was present, as well as her partner, and a man who said he was a family friend - said to be Mr D'Wit.

Tracy Ayling KC, leading Mr Boorman through his evidence, said: "Did he describe himself as almost like a son?"

"Yes," replied Mr Boorman.

He agreed it was the "good friend" Mr D'Wit who got medication from around the house and placed it in a box.

Luke D'Wit spoke to police officers outside the Baxters' house after they were found dead

Mr Boorman said a colleague suggested they should check for gas, adding: "We were told they had their boiler serviced a couple of weeks ago, and just in case."

The trial was previously told that the fire service ruled out carbon monoxide poisoning.

Ms Ayling asked Mr Boorman: "Did you get the impression the property was extremely clean and tidy?"

"Yes," said Mr Boorman.

He agreed that he did not see anything out near the couple, "not even a cup, mug or book".

The trial continues.