Murder victim tortured in Westcliff flat, court hears (From Echo)
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Murder victim tortured in Westcliff flat, court hears
5:06pm Thursday 4th October 2012 in News
A MURDER victim found dead in his flat had been subjected to "horrific torture" , a court heard.
Roy Sly, 53, was found dead in his flat in Station Road, on January 10.
It is thought he had been dead for at least a day and had suffered 59 separate injuries, including many to the genital area.
Judge Christopher Ball told the jury at Chelmsford Crown Court: "As you can see, this is not a case for the faint-hearted."
Vincent Harty, 39, of Wakering Avenue, Shoebury, Lisa Turner, 33, of no fixed address, and Peter Smith, 38, of Furnace Row, Toredyrhiw, Merthyr Tydfil, all deny murder.
The court heard he had been so badly beaten that police were unable to tell if the body was that of a man or a woman.
When officers arrived a hypodermic needle was sticking out of his arm but, the jury heard, this was a "red herring" designed to give the false impression he was a drug addict.
The trial is expected to last up to four weeks.
