This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It last changed over 40 days ago and won't be checked again for changes.
You can find the current article at its original source at http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-kent-41309644
The article has changed 5 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.
| Version 0 | Version 1 |
|---|---|
| Rough sleeper 'set on fire and killed' in Tunbridge Wells car park | Rough sleeper 'set on fire and killed' in Tunbridge Wells car park |
| (35 minutes later) | |
| A man who had separated from his wife was doused in barbecue fluid and burnt to death during his first night on the streets, a murder trial has heard. | A man who had separated from his wife was doused in barbecue fluid and burnt to death during his first night on the streets, a murder trial has heard. |
| Giles Metcalfe, 43, died from burns and smoke inhalation in a Tunbridge Wells car park in the early hours of 7 March. | Giles Metcalfe, 43, died from burns and smoke inhalation in a Tunbridge Wells car park in the early hours of 7 March. |
| Dean Malcolm Lewis, 34, of no fixed address, and James Marshall-Gunn, 30, of Hadlow Road, Tonbridge, deny murder. | Dean Malcolm Lewis, 34, of no fixed address, and James Marshall-Gunn, 30, of Hadlow Road, Tonbridge, deny murder. |
| At Maidstone Crown Court, Philip Bennetts QC, prosecuting, said: "They together went in to kill him by fire." | At Maidstone Crown Court, Philip Bennetts QC, prosecuting, said: "They together went in to kill him by fire." |
| 'Settling down' | 'Settling down' |
| The court heard how the newly separated Mr Metcalfe was homeless but was on a housing waiting list. | The court heard how the newly separated Mr Metcalfe was homeless but was on a housing waiting list. |
| It was his first night sleeping rough and he planned to sleep in a car park above a shop, The Range, on Torrington Road. | It was his first night sleeping rough and he planned to sleep in a car park above a shop, The Range, on Torrington Road. |
| Mr Metcalfe sent his wife a text just after 22:30 BST the night he died, saying: "Settling down for the night. It's all good xx." | Mr Metcalfe sent his wife a text just after 22:30 BST the night he died, saying: "Settling down for the night. It's all good xx." |
| Just after 02:30 BST, Kent Fire and Rescue service was notified of an alarm at The Range. A member of staff from the store attended and investigated with a colleague. | Just after 02:30 BST, Kent Fire and Rescue service was notified of an alarm at The Range. A member of staff from the store attended and investigated with a colleague. |
| Sleeping bag invitation | Sleeping bag invitation |
| They discovered Mr Metcalfe's badly burnt body on the first floor of the car park. An open bottle of barbecue lighting fluid was nearby. | They discovered Mr Metcalfe's badly burnt body on the first floor of the car park. An open bottle of barbecue lighting fluid was nearby. |
| Police were called just before 04:00 BST. | Police were called just before 04:00 BST. |
| The court was told that Mr Lewis and Mr Marshall-Gunn were with Mr Metcalfe earlier that evening at Sainsbury's buying whisky. | |
| Just before midnight, the court heard the three men were in the car park with two women: Michelle Sharp and Vivien Martin, who was in a relationship with Mr Lewis. | Just before midnight, the court heard the three men were in the car park with two women: Michelle Sharp and Vivien Martin, who was in a relationship with Mr Lewis. |
| Mr Lewis was said to be unhappy when the victim suggested Ms Martin join him in his sleeping bag, saying "come in here with me, love". | Mr Lewis was said to be unhappy when the victim suggested Ms Martin join him in his sleeping bag, saying "come in here with me, love". |
| The group was seen leaving the car park on CCTV but Mr Marshall-Gunn and Mr Lewis were filmed arriving back just after 02:00 BST. | The group was seen leaving the car park on CCTV but Mr Marshall-Gunn and Mr Lewis were filmed arriving back just after 02:00 BST. |
| Minutes later they were seen leaving again. | Minutes later they were seen leaving again. |
| Pathologist Dr Olaf Biedrzycki found no evidence of any "defensive" injuries to Mr Metcalfe. | Pathologist Dr Olaf Biedrzycki found no evidence of any "defensive" injuries to Mr Metcalfe. |
| But Mr Metcalfe's blood alcohol level was more than three times the drink-drive limit, the court heard. | But Mr Metcalfe's blood alcohol level was more than three times the drink-drive limit, the court heard. |
| The pathologist concluded that: "it seems reasonable to suggest the deceased may have been asleep and relatively oblivious to the presence of anyone around him". | The pathologist concluded that: "it seems reasonable to suggest the deceased may have been asleep and relatively oblivious to the presence of anyone around him". |
| The trial continues. | The trial continues. |