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Becky Watts murder trial: Nathan Matthews 'described how he would kill' Becky Watts murder trial: Nathan Matthews 'described how he would kill'
(34 minutes later)
Nathan Matthews described in graphic detail to his step-sister Becky Watts how he would kill her in the years before he attacked her, a court has heard.Nathan Matthews described in graphic detail to his step-sister Becky Watts how he would kill her in the years before he attacked her, a court has heard.
A close friend of 16-year-old Becky claimed the teenager was scared and troubled by what Matthews, a former Territorial Army soldier turned delivery driver, said to her.A close friend of 16-year-old Becky claimed the teenager was scared and troubled by what Matthews, a former Territorial Army soldier turned delivery driver, said to her.
Matthews, 28, and his partner, Shauna Hoare, 21, are accused of murdering Becky at her home in Bristol, dismembering her body and hiding the remains in a neighbour’s garden shed.Matthews, 28, and his partner, Shauna Hoare, 21, are accused of murdering Becky at her home in Bristol, dismembering her body and hiding the remains in a neighbour’s garden shed.
Related: Becky Watts murder trial: couple 'texted about kidnapping schoolgirls'Related: Becky Watts murder trial: couple 'texted about kidnapping schoolgirls'
According to the prosecution, the murder was sexually motivated and the pair had a fascination with the idea of kidnap and an unnatural interest in young girls.According to the prosecution, the murder was sexually motivated and the pair had a fascination with the idea of kidnap and an unnatural interest in young girls.
Matthews admits the manslaughter of Becky, dismembering her body and possessing two stun guns. He denies conspiracy to kidnap and murder. Hoare denies any involvement in the plot to kidnap, the murder or the aftermath.Matthews admits the manslaughter of Becky, dismembering her body and possessing two stun guns. He denies conspiracy to kidnap and murder. Hoare denies any involvement in the plot to kidnap, the murder or the aftermath.
Bristol crown court heard Courtney Bicker, 17, one of Becky’s best friends, gave an interview to police hours before the body parts were discovered.Bristol crown court heard Courtney Bicker, 17, one of Becky’s best friends, gave an interview to police hours before the body parts were discovered.
She said: “Becky’s told me a few times, like this has happened a number of occasions, that Nathan would graphically describe - this is her exact words - how he would kill her. She said: “Becky’s told me a few times, like this has happened a number of occasions, that Nathan would graphically describe – this is her exact words – how he would kill her.
“And he said a few things… in the past, a bit gruesome, like – not necessarily about killing someone but about wounds and stuff.“And he said a few things… in the past, a bit gruesome, like – not necessarily about killing someone but about wounds and stuff.
“He’d describe it quite in detail but she mentioned it a few times, like it was troubling her the fact he said that and she did seem a bit scared of him.”“He’d describe it quite in detail but she mentioned it a few times, like it was troubling her the fact he said that and she did seem a bit scared of him.”
Courtney said Becky first mentioned the threats in 2013, when they became close friends, and again in 2014. She was killed in February this year.Courtney said Becky first mentioned the threats in 2013, when they became close friends, and again in 2014. She was killed in February this year.
The witness told police Matthews had never made such threats in front of her but Becky would tell her about them.The witness told police Matthews had never made such threats in front of her but Becky would tell her about them.
“I’ve heard him saying … little jokey comments like about hammers and stuff, like jokey stuff like that,” she added. “He said it to us and these weren’t really alarming at the time obviously. She mentioned it a few times meaning that she felt he was serious, like she said that I think it scared her.”“I’ve heard him saying … little jokey comments like about hammers and stuff, like jokey stuff like that,” she added. “He said it to us and these weren’t really alarming at the time obviously. She mentioned it a few times meaning that she felt he was serious, like she said that I think it scared her.”
Courtney repeated that Matthews had told Becky how he would kill her. “I think he said multiple different things because she brought it up quite a few times and it’s like she said: ‘He keeps graphically describing how he’s going to kill me’. Obviously, I think she must not have taken any notice of it to still be around the guy.”Courtney repeated that Matthews had told Becky how he would kill her. “I think he said multiple different things because she brought it up quite a few times and it’s like she said: ‘He keeps graphically describing how he’s going to kill me’. Obviously, I think she must not have taken any notice of it to still be around the guy.”
The 17-year-old claimed Matthews had mentioned a sledgehammer on one occasion. “They would just have a normal conversation and he’d bring it up,” she said. “Like, he’d bring up graphic kind of things now and again. She would have said if he hit her, I’m pretty sure she would have said that but I don’t think any violence occurred.”The 17-year-old claimed Matthews had mentioned a sledgehammer on one occasion. “They would just have a normal conversation and he’d bring it up,” she said. “Like, he’d bring up graphic kind of things now and again. She would have said if he hit her, I’m pretty sure she would have said that but I don’t think any violence occurred.”
The trial continues.The trial continues.