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Murder Trial: First police officer on scene gives evidence

Wed, 18 Mar 2015

The first police officer to arrive at an alleged murder scene in Castletown has told a jury how he tried to resuscitate the victim - but to no avail.

Yesterday PC Mark Langley was called on to give evidence at Douglas Courthouse in the trial against 46-year-old Castletown man Ian Anderson.

He's charged with murdering 60-year-old Ballabeg man Neil Roberts in December 2013 - a charge he denies.

The police officer was called to respond to an incident at 40 Queen Street in Castletown at around 1am on December 1st whilst on patrol in the town.

Arriving at the scene he told jurors he found Anderson standing at the front door "covered in blood" with very visible injuries to his face.

He said Anderson told him he had been assaulted by a man who had turned up at his property and that he was still inside.

PC Langley entered and went into the living room where he found Mr Roberts lying on the floor - he described him as being "cold" to the touch and said there was no indication he was breathing.

He explained how he tried to re-establish an airway but couldn't get his jaw to open - saying it felt as though it was "in bits".

Instead the PC started chest compressions until paramedics and other police officers arrived - Mr Robert's was then pronounced dead at the scene.

The trial continues this morning. 

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