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Three are guilty of lagoon murder Three guilty of murdering 'slave'
(about 1 hour later)
Three people have been found guilty of the murder of a man whose dismembered body was found in a Bedfordshire lake.Three people have been found guilty of the murder of a man whose dismembered body was found in a Bedfordshire lake.
The headless body of 26-year-old Michael Gilbert was found in the Blue Lagoon in Arlesey last May.The headless body of 26-year-old Michael Gilbert was found in the Blue Lagoon in Arlesey last May.
He had been tortured for his benefit money and kept as a slave by his attackers, Luton Crown Court heard. He had been tortured for his benefit money and kept as a "slave" by his attackers, Luton Crown Court heard.
James Watt, 27, his girlfriend Natasha Oldfield, 29, and his brother's girlfriend Nichola Roberts, 21, were convicted of his murder.James Watt, 27, his girlfriend Natasha Oldfield, 29, and his brother's girlfriend Nichola Roberts, 21, were convicted of his murder.
James's brother Robert Watt, 20, and his mother Jennifer Smith-Dennis were found guilty of familial homicide. James's brother Robert Watt, 20, and his mother Jennifer Smith-Dennis, of Chertsey Close, Luton, were found guilty of familial homicide.
A third brother, Richard Watt, 25, had previously admitted familial homicide.A third brother, Richard Watt, 25, had previously admitted familial homicide.
'Years of violence''Years of violence'
In addition, all were been found guilty of perverting the course of justice. In addition, all were been found guilty of perverting the course of justice. All will be sentenced at Luton Crown Court on Monday.
Antonio Watt, the men's 70-year-old father, was found not guilty of the charges. Three people were convicted of Mr Gilbert's murder
Mr Gilbert met James Watt when they were both 15 and living at a children's home, the court heard. Antonio Watt, the men's 70-year-old father, was acquitted of familial homicide last month and was also acquitted of perverting the course of justice.
Mr Gilbert, described in court as "vulnerable", met James Watt when they were both 15 and living at a children's home, the court heard.
He was later introduced to the Watt family and went to live with them.He was later introduced to the Watt family and went to live with them.
Mr Gilbert had been made to sleep handcuffed to a bed to stop him escaping and suffered years of violence before being killed, his body was dismembered and head cut off. The prosecution said Mr Gilbert had been hit with bats, shot and stabbed, with the beatings often filmed on mobile phones.
Two men discovered Mr Gilbert's torso, left forearm, severed hands and his lower legs and feet last May. Mr Gilbert, who was forced to do chores, escaped several times from the Luton house, but was forced to return.
His knees, right forearm and head were missing but were later discovered in the lagoon. When he escaped, James Watt would pose as him and, using his National Insurance number, discover where he was collecting benefits, and go and bring him back, the court heard.
Detectives believe he died overnight between 21 and 22 January 2009.
The body was wrapped in layers of black bags and cling-film and placed in a builder's bag, stowed in the boot of Robert Watt's car and driven to the lagoon where a fishing trolley, and later a wheelbarrow, was used to transport the corpse on the mile-long walk to the lagoon.
Missing body parts
Mr Gilbert's headless corpse was spotted by two anglers fishing at the lagoon last May.
His knee joints, forearm and elbow were missing, as well as the head, although the torso and some other body parts were present.
If Michael could have just fought back just once and defended himself years ago when it started, the violence would have ended Mr Gilbert's mother Rosalie White
Mr Gilbert's severed head was not discovered until February this year along with the other missing body parts.
Richard Watt was temporarily taken out of prison to help police find it, after pleading guilty to familial homicide and perverting the course of justice.
The court heard after the verdicts that James Watt has 14 previous convictions for 22 different offences, including affray and shooting someone with an airgun.
Robert Watt has two convictions, including battery and theft, while their mother was of good character, the court was told.
Mr Gilbert's family said they believed he kept quiet about the abuse to protect them.
His mother, Rosalie White, 49, said if her own children had been doing what the Watt brothers were doing, she would have "shopped" them.
She said: "That mother (Jennifer Smith-Dennis) could have done something to help Michael and never did.
"If Michael could have just fought back just once and defended himself years ago when it started, the violence would have ended. Instead he would stand there and take it."