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Alan Greaves murder: Sheffield organist 'killed with axe handle' | Alan Greaves murder: Sheffield organist 'killed with axe handle' |
(about 3 hours 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. | 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. | 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. | 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. |
The jury of six men and six women at Sheffield Crown Court were told: "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. | "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." | "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. | 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. | 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 the victim's 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 embedded in Mr Greaves' body 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. | He said scientific analysis of the pensioner's damaged hat showed a second weapon must have been used in the assault. |
'Denied responsibility' | |
The court heard Bowling and Mr Foster were identified by a number of people after police released CCTV footage, which was played to the jury earlier. | |
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 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. |
The prosecutor said Mr Foster denied responsibility, telling friends Bowling had attacked Mr Greaves but that he had been too scared of him to say anything. | |
He also told one friend that Bowling had sworn at the pensioner and then ran over and "smashed him" over the head, jurors heard. | |
When Mr Greaves tried to get up, Bowling hit him again. | |
Mr Smith said Mr Foster claimed Bowling told him: "That's me being normal, so imagine me when I'm on one. | |
"If you tell anybody, I'm going to set your kids on fire and torture you." | |
The prosecution countered the version of events, saying CCTV footage showed the two men together and evidence of two weapons being used also pointed to them both being responsible. | |
Mr Smith told the jury: "In short, the prosecution say that these two men were walking the streets looking for a suitable victim. If it hadn't been Mr Greaves, it would have been someone else." | |
Mr Greaves's widow, Maureen, watched the beginning of the trial from the public gallery, along with other members of her family. | |
Mr Foster, of Wesley Road, High Green, Sheffield, denies one count of murder. | |
The jury was told that Bowling, of Carwood Way, Pitsmoor, has already admitted murdering Mr Greaves. | |
The trial, expected to last about three weeks, continues. |