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Jury out in double murder trial Jury out in double murder trial
(about 1 hour later)
A jury in the case of a man accused of murdering a couple in Newcastle is continuing to consider its verdict.A jury in the case of a man accused of murdering a couple in Newcastle is continuing to consider its verdict.
The mutilated bodies of Zhen Xing Yang and his girlfriend Xi Zhou, both 25, were found in Croydon Road on 9 August last year.The mutilated bodies of Zhen Xing Yang and his girlfriend Xi Zhou, both 25, were found in Croydon Road on 9 August last year.
Guang Hui Cao, 31, of Castle Close, Morpeth, Northumberland, denies two counts of murder.Guang Hui Cao, 31, of Castle Close, Morpeth, Northumberland, denies two counts of murder.
He told Newcastle Crown Court he was blackmailed into helping the murderer or murderers get into the flat.He told Newcastle Crown Court he was blackmailed into helping the murderer or murderers get into the flat.
The jury was sent out on Monday morning to consider its verdict.The jury was sent out on Monday morning to consider its verdict.
During three weeks of evidence, the court heard the couple could have been murdered for money made from an internet football betting scam and selling false qualifications.During three weeks of evidence, the court heard the couple could have been murdered for money made from an internet football betting scam and selling false qualifications.
Keys outsideKeys outside
Giving evidence through an interpreter, Mr Guang, who lodged with the couple, said he had been contacted by an anonymous caller telling him to leave door keys outside the flat or his family in China would be harmed. Giving evidence through an interpreter, Mr Cao, who lodged with the couple, said he had been contacted by an anonymous caller telling him to leave door keys outside the flat or his family in China would be harmed.
He also said on the day of the killings a masked man, armed with a gun had come into the flat and charged into his room. He said he was tied up for several hours.He also said on the day of the killings a masked man, armed with a gun had come into the flat and charged into his room. He said he was tied up for several hours.
Mr Zhen died after being repeatedly hit with a hammer-like weapon and having his throat slit. Mr Yang died after being repeatedly hit with a hammer-like weapon and having his throat slit.
Miss Xi also died after being hit with a heavy weapon and was found bound and gagged face down on a bed. Miss Zhou also died after being hit with a heavy weapon and was found bound and gagged face down on a bed.