Lodger 'threatened to throw sex offender down mine shaft'

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-cornwall-34526199

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A sex offender was taken to a mine shaft and threatened with being thrown down it by a lodger, a court has heard.

Terry Oldham, 63, was found dead at his house in Camborne, Cornwall, with bruises on his body suggesting he had been the victim of several assaults.

Truro Crown Court heard he had bruises around his sexual organs, which caused him to die of peritonitis.

Three men and a woman who lived with him deny his murder as well as allowing the death of a vulnerable adult.

Aaron Mallon, 24, and Michelle Casterton, 43, both of Grenville Road, Falmouth, Daniel Quinn, 23, of Tregullow Road, Falmouth and Richard Rosevear, 32, of Truro Road, St Austell, all shared a house with the victim.

Christopher Mount, who previously lived at the rented house, told the jury Mr Oldham was terrified of one of his lodgers, Mr Mallon, who intimidated him and constantly demanded money.

He said on one occasion Mr Mallon had boasted that he had taken him to a mine shaft and threatened to throw him down it.

On Tuesday, Paul Dunkels, prosecuting, said the group had discovered he was a sex offender from papers found in his room.

Following the discovery he was sexually assaulted with a broom handle, the court heard.

In 1987 Mr Oldham was convicted of indecent assault on a girl under 14.

He was found dead at Dolcoath Road, Camborne on 1 April 2014.

He died of peritonitis, which is the inflammation of the peritoneum, the thin layer of tissue that lines the inside of the abdomen.

The trial continues.