John Littlewood murder trial: Police interviews of couple accused of killing read to court

Marty Bates, 31, and Tracey Bunney, 45, deny murdering John Littlewood, 36, who was found dead from head injuries at his home in Third Street, Blackhall Colliery, on Tuesday, July 30, 2019.

Teesside Crown Court has previously heard it is the prosecution case Bates beat him to death after Bunney drove him to the back of Mr Littlewood’s house after midnight on Friday, July 26.

The court has heard Mr Littlewood, known as John D, had been helped by pals to set up home in the weeks before the tragedy and had spent time with Bates and Bunney, of Tenth Street, and another couple as they drank and some took drugs in lead up to his death.

Police interviews following their arrests have been detailed in court.

On August 2, Bates gave a statement saying he was not responsible for the death or knew who was adding: “John is a good friend and I had no issue with him.”

He declined to answer questions on this of five further interviews.

Mr Littlewood was described by Bunney, who helped set up his home, as “broke” and a “floater”, moving on to new friends when he got what he needed.

She told officers on the Thursday at Mr Littlewood’s house another man landed a “flying kick” to Mr Littlewood’s head, and Bates had also hit him.

Bunney heard someone was going to “tax” Mr Littlewood and heard him say he had been kidnapped.

The couple went to his house the next day so Bates could apologise, but got no answer.

She was also asked about CCTV from the hours between the Thursday night and early hours of Friday, showing Bates leave Tenth Street and said she had fell asleep watching television and he had been with her.

They then called at Mr Littlewood’s home on the Sunday night, along with other couple, after they won £500 at the bingo and wanted to try and find him.

Bunney said she and Mr Littlewood had not had a sexual relationship when asked by officers.

The trial continues.

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