Harlow murder suspect Lee Clarke blames smashed mirror for blood

Body parts belonging to Phillip Lewis were found in two ponds in Harlow

A man accused of murdering his homeless friend and cutting up his body has told a court that blood found in his flat was due to a broken mirror, drug use and his dog being in season.

Body parts belonging to Phillip Lewis, 59, were found in a pond in Harlow, Essex, on 31 December 2022.

His blood was found in several rooms in Lee Clarke's sixth-floor flat, Chelmsford Crown Court has heard.

Mr Clarke, 56, of Wadhey, Harlow, denies murder.

Warning: Article contains distressing detail

Police established Lee Clarke, a friend of Mr Lewis, as their main suspect via telephone records, a court was told

Mr Lewis had not been seen since 12 November before his pelvis, spine and part of his torso were seen in Oakwood Pond by a dog walker on New Year's Eve, the trial has heard.

His heart, lungs and a headless right-side of his torso were found during further police searches that also spanned Netteswell Pond, about a mile east of Oakwood Pond.

Louis Mably KC, prosecuting, previously told jurors that Mr Lewis' head, upper thighs and upper arms have never been found.

He has alleged that "a power tool or several power tools" were used to cut through the bones.

The prosecutor said police linked Mr Clarke to Mr Lewis via telephone records.

A dog walker saw body parts floating on the surface of Oakwood Pond, close to the Princess Alexandra Hospital in Harlow

He said when officers visited Mr Clarke's flat on 4 January 2023, blood determined to be Mr Lewis' was found in the living room and bathroom, as well as on a tray, coffee table, washing machine and refrigerator.

During cross-examination earlier, Mr Clarke told the jury he had punched a mirror and Mr Lewis cut himself on it while helping to clear up.

Asked why Mr Lewis' blood was in the bathroom, he said: "I have no idea. I found a spoon in there. I suspect he was injecting heroin."

Mr Clarke added that the pair "had a drink, sat down and carried on taking crack" after Mr Lewis cleaned up.

Specialist police officers searched Oakwood Pond after the body parts were found

He claimed other blood in the property was due to his dog, Honcho, having been in season.

But Mr Mably said: "The real reason for that blood was you had killed Phillip Lewis in your flat.

"You had stabbed him with a screwdriver and cut up the body... so you could get it out your flat and then, using your local knowledge, you dumped it in local ponds.

"When you attacked him he never stood a chance, did he? The problem you had was you were left in the sixth floor of your flat with a dead body."

Mr Clarke, interjected with "no" and "not true" during Mr Mably's statements.

The trial continues.