Becky Watts’ killer Nathan Matthews sobs in court as he denies planning teenager’s murder

Matthews and his girlfriend, Shauna Hoare, 21, are accused of killing the 16-year-old in a sexually motivated kidnap plot

Court artist sketch by Elizabeth Cook of Nathan Matthews crying in the dock (PA)

Nathan Matthews broke down in tears as he told a jury at Bristol Crown Court he did not intend to murder his stepsister Becky Watts.

The 28-year-old started crying and slumped into the witness box holding his head in his hands as she started giving evidence during his murder trial.

Matthews and his girlfriend, Shauna Hoare, 21, are accused of killing the 16-year-old in a sexually motivated kidnap plot on February 19.

Bristol Crown Court has heard the pair targeted 5ft 1ins Becky due to their shared unnatural interest in petite teenage girls.

They allegedly murdered Becky in her bedroom at her family home in Crown Hill, Bristol, before driving her body to their home in Cotton Mill Lane, Barton Hill, Bristol.

Prosecutors say the couple dismembered Becky in the bath of the terraced property using a circular saw, before packing her body parts in bags, cling film and tape.

Becky Watts was allegedly murdered in her bedroom in Crown Hill, Bristol (Getty Images)

These were discovered in suitcases, bags and a blue box in a garden shed in Barton Court - 80 metres from their home - in the early hours of 3 March.

Adam Vaitilingam QC, defending, asked his client: "Did you intend to kill Becky?"

Fighting back tears, Matthews replied: "No."

Mr Vaitilingam asked: "Did you intend to cause her really serious injury?"

Matthews answered: "No."

Nathan Matthews being interviewed by police after Becky Watts' body parts had been found (PA)

He then burst into tears, telling the court: "No, no... No I didn't."

Matthews then slumped into the witness box holding his head in his hands and loudly crying.

He then paused to recompose himself and took some sips of water before continuing to give his evidence.

Matthews entered the witness box on day 14 of the trial to give the jury his account of events in February and March this year.

Mr Vaitilingam asked him: "Excluding Shauna, did you have a plan to kidnap Becky Watts?"

Matthews replied: "Yes."

Mr Vaitilingam asked: "Was Shauna part of that plan?"

He replied: "No."

Mr Vaitilingam asked: "You admit that you had a plan to kidnap Becky but you deny that you conspired with Shauna to do so?"

Matthews told the court: "Yes."

Mr Vaitilingam said: "You and Shauna Hoare are charged with the murder of Becky Watts. Putting Shauna out of the picture, the jury have been told that you pleaded not guilty to murder but pleaded guilty to manslaughter. Is that right?"

Matthews replied: "Yes."

Referring to the perverting course of justice charge, Mr Vaitilingam asked Matthews: "You admit that you hid, then dismembered, then hid again Becky's body?"

Matthews said: "Yes."

Mr Vaitilingam asked: "Do you admit that you lied to the police when they were investigating her disappearance."

Matthews told the jury: "Yes."

Mr Vaitilingam asked his client whether he had prevented the lawful burial of a corpse and he replied: "By my actions, yes. I didn't... yeah..."

Matthews, of Hazelbury Drive, Warmley, south Gloucestershire, denies murder and conspiracy to kidnap.

He admits killing Becky, perverting the course of justice, preventing the burial of a corpse and possessing a prohibited weapon.

Hoare, of Cotton Mill Lane, Bristol, denies murder, conspiracy to kidnap, perverting the course of justice, preventing burial of a corpse and possessing a prohibited weapon.

The residents of the Barton Court property, Karl Demetrius, 30, and his partner Jaydene Parsons, 23, admit assisting an offender.

Donovan Demetrius - Karl's twin brother - of Marsh Lane, Bristol, and James Ireland, 23, of Richmond Villas, Avonmouth - a work colleague of Karl's - deny the charge.

PA