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-south-yorkshire-23064080
The article has changed 3 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.
| Version 0 | Version 1 |
|---|---|
| Alan Greaves murder: Sheffield organist 'killed with axe handle' | |
| (about 1 hour later) | |
| A church organist was "savagely beaten" to death on Christmas Eve with a pick-axe handle by two men who were later seen laughing, a court heard. | A church organist was "savagely beaten" to death on Christmas Eve with a pick-axe handle by two men who were later seen laughing, a court heard. |
| Alan Greaves, 68, was set upon with the tool and a second weapon as he made his way to St Saviour's Church, in High Green, Sheffield, on 24 December. | |
| Mr Greaves, who was also a lay preacher, died three days later. | Mr Greaves, who was also a lay preacher, died three days later. |
| Ashley Foster, 22, denies murder. Jonathan Bowling, also 22, has admitted killing Mr Greaves. | |
| Prosecutor Robert Smith QC said Mr Greaves was attacked by Bowling and Mr Foster as he walked to Midnight Mass to play the organ - something he had done for 40 years. | |
| 'Unsurvivable injuries' | 'Unsurvivable injuries' |
| The two men were spotted shortly afterwards, laughing in a park, said the barrister. | The two men were spotted shortly afterwards, laughing in a park, said the barrister. |
| He said a pick-axe handle was used along with another unidentified weapon. | He said a pick-axe handle was used along with another unidentified weapon. |
| He told the jury of six men and six women at Sheffield Crown Court: "He (Mr Greaves) left his home shortly after 11 o'clock that night carrying his briefcase and leaving his wife and children and friends there. | |
| "He never returned home. | |
| "In the course of his journey he was set upon and savagely beaten to the head with such force he suffered unsurvivable head injuries." | |
| Mr Smith said nothing was taken from Mr Greaves and robbery did not appear to have been the motive for the attack. | |
| 'Bones splintered' | 'Bones splintered' |
| Bowling and Mr Foster were said to have been drinking lager and spirits at a house in High Green earlier that night. | |
| A post-mortem examination showed Mr Greaves had been hit at least three times. | A post-mortem examination showed Mr Greaves had been hit at least three times. |
| Mr Smith said part of his head was hit so hard the bones splintered into a number of pieces. | Mr Smith said part of his head was hit so hard the bones splintered into a number of pieces. |
| The court heard a pick-axe was found at Bowling's sister's home and a fragment of wood found embedded in Mr Greaves has been matched to the weapon. | |
| He said scientific analysis of the pensioner's damaged hat showed a second weapon must have been used in the assault. | |
| The court heard Bowling and Mr Foster were identified by a number of people after police released CCTV footage. | |
| Mr Foster handed himself in the day after the footage was publicised but told officers Bowling was responsible for the attack and he "played no part in it", said the prosecutor. | |
| Mr Foster, of Carwood Way, Pitsmoor, Sheffield, denies one count of murder. | |
| The jury was told that Bowling, of Wesley Road, High Green, has already admitted murdering Mr Greaves. | The jury was told that Bowling, of Wesley Road, High Green, has already admitted murdering Mr Greaves. |
| The trial, which is expected to last about three weeks, continues. | The trial, which is expected to last about three weeks, continues. |