Kevin Kennedy death: Man claims victim was alive after fight

Despite several searches police have never found the remaining parts of Kevin Kennedy's body

A man accused of killing a love rival whose body was later found dismembered has told a court the victim was alive when he last saw him.

The headless and armless body of 50-year-old Kevin Kennedy, was found in a shallow grave in Sneinton, Nottinghamshire, on 8 August.

Accused Peter Healy, 51, said he punched Mr Kennedy four times at a house in Rossington Road but when he left, Mr Kennedy was alive.

"I have no idea how he died", he said.

Mr Healy's co-accused and former girlfriend, Tara Swift, 40, of West Street, Leicester, also denies murder at Nottingham Crown Court.

Giving evidence, Mr Healy said after being released from prison on 4 July he had not made contact with Miss Swift or her partner Mr Kennedy until 17 July.

On that day he went to the house in Rossington Road to collect his clothes and they all started talking and drinking.

'Pretty far-fetched'

Mr Healy said as he went to leave several hours later, Miss Swift also asked Mr Kennedy to leave.

"He went upstairs and was taking his time leaving so I went up," said Mr Healy.

"Next thing he flew at me, attacked me and stabbed me in my hand. I grabbed his hand and then he sunk his teeth into my arm. Tara smacked him with an ashtray and he let go."

Mr Healy said he punched Mr Kennedy four times before leaving the property with Miss Swift.

Timothy Barnes, defending Miss Swift, asked: "No-one but you three knew about the fight in Rossington Road.

"It is pretty far-fetched that some unknown third party just happens on that address, goes in to find a dead body, cuts it up and takes it to a shallow grave. So was it you, Miss Swift or a third party?"

"I know for a fact it wasn't me," Mr Healy replied.

"He was alive when I left him. I have no idea how he died."

Mr Barnes went on to suggest Mr Healy had worked alone to dismember the body and take it in a wheelie bin to an area between Rossington Road and Burrows Court.

Mr Healy and Miss Swift also deny a second charge of perverting the course of justice between 17 July and 8 August by "concealing or disposing" of Mr Kennedy's body parts, which have never been recovered.

The trial continues.