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Murder Trial: Jurors to visit alleged murder scene

Tue, 17 Mar 2015

A Ballabeg man who was found dead in Castletown was so badly injured his facial features were unrecognisable.

That's what a jury was told yesterday on the first day of the trial of a Castletown man accused of his murder.

46-year-old Ian Anderson denies murdering 60-year-old gardener Neil Roberts in 2013 - his body was found at his home on Queen Street in the early hours of December 1st.

Mr Roberts had suffered over 40 external injuries including having almost every bone in his face broken - some more than once.

At Douglas Courthouse yesterday the 12 jurors were told the two men had been drinking in Port Erin during the evening of November 30th before returning to the house Anderson shared with his wife.

It was claimed that the trio would often socialise together despite Mr Roberts and Mrs Anderson being in an "intimate relationship".

At the house the two men became involved in a physical altercation - Anderson told police he was defending himself after Mr Roberts launched three attacks on him leaving him "fighting for his life".

The prosecution claim there is ample evidence which shows Anderson caused all of the injuries to Mr Roberts and for this reason "it is clear this killing is murder".

Today jurors will visit the alleged murder scene in person - the trial continues. 

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