A TEENAGE girl accused of killing a man by throwing a marine distress flare into his car has given no evidence in her defence.

Keani Hobbs, 18, of Stagden Cross, Pitsea, is standing trial for the manslaughter of car wash boss Vilson Meshi.

The 30-year-old was found dead on February 26 last year in the back of his Audi A4 in Pincey Mead, Basildon, where he had been sleeping.

Chelmsford Crown Court heard Hobbs was warned that jurors may “draw inferences” from her decision.

Tony Badenoch QC, defending Hobbs, told the court: “I will call no evidence in the case of Keani Hobbs.”

Judge Patricia Lynch asked Mr Badenoch whether Hobbs had been warned about her choice. He said she had.

The defence case for Hobbs’ co-accused, a 16-year-old boy who cannot be named for legal reasons, also closed yesterday. He spent two days in the witness box giving evidence against Hobbs, who he claims stole the flares from Wat Tyler Marina, throwing one into the car.

Judge Lynch told jurors: “The defence for Keani Hobbs are calling no evidence and so consequentially all of the evidence in this case has now been called. That means the next stage we have is speeches.”

The speeches and summing up are expected to take place today and tomorrow.

During the trial, the court heard Hobbs made no comment during her police interview, except to hand over a prepared statement.

It said: “I deny the allegations of murder and burglary. I don’t know anything about his murder. I didn’t commit a burglary at Wat Tyler Marina and I have never been in possession of flares.”

A statement from Det Con Dan Jordan was also read to the court, in which he described a conversation he had with the 16-year-old boy’s father.

He said Keani’s mum, Melanie Hobbs, had burnt the pair’s clothes and thrown Mr Meshi’s phone and car keys off a bridge on Canvey.

The father said Melanie Hobbs had also been present when the marine distress flares were stolen about a week before the incident.

The man said his son had been with Keani Hobbs and a boy named Aaron on the night Mr Meshi was killed, but he told the officer Keani threw the flare into the car after saying “oh **** it”.

When the boy gave evidence, he admitted stealing the phone and keys from the car but claimed he walked away before Hobbs threw the flare. Mr Badenoch, defending Hobbs, told him: “The account you have given about Keani is lies.”

The trial continues.