THERE is “not a single bit of evidence” to prove a man murdered his own girlfriend, a court has been told.

Gary Bennett, 37, of Caister Drive, Pitsea, is standing trial charged with the murder of Madison Wright, 30.

He has denied the charge, and yesterday both the prosecution and defence closed their cases with the jury set to be sent out to consider their verdict today.

During the trial, the jury were told Bennett killed his girlfriend, put her body in the boot of her own car, and drove around in it for a few days before burying her in Wat Tyler Park.

The jury was also told that he repeatedly text her about missing her and wanting her back, as well as allegedly withdrawing more than £500 from her bank account after he killed her.

Defending, Christine Agnew said: “There are innocent explanations for any number of those searches and messages and when you actually step back and look at the evidence, there are equally consistent explanations for him not being guilty at all.

“There is not a single piece of evidence in this case to suggest beyond reasonable doubt that Gary Bennett murdered Madison Wright.

“He’s absolutely not captured on CCTV at any relevant times.”

During the trial, the jury heard that Madison’s body was found on July 30, covered by shrubs and a fence panel.

Ms Agnew added: “He was suspected as being responsible for her disappearance. Everything he did took on a sinister turn in eyes of the family and this was adopted by the police and prosecution.

“In each message he is declaring his love for her. How does that sit with him transferring the money within 30 minutes of her arriving at his house? How does it sit within someone who the prosecution say is sophisticated enough to manufacture some text messages that she is texting people.

“Why on earth, if he had just killed her, would he draw even more attention to himself?

There’s absolutely no evidence whatsoever that those bank transfers were made when Madison was dead.”

Closing the case for the prosecution, Tracy Ayling, said: “There has been virtually no challenge to the prosecution case and no evidence from the defendant. He is cold calcu