Becky Watts trial: Jury retires to consider verdicts

Nathan Matthews allegedly suffocated his stepsister in a sexually motived kidnap plot with his girlfriend, Shauna Hoare

A candle burns besides a photograph of Becky Watts at St Ambrose Church in Bristol

Jurors in the trial over the murder of Bristol teenager Becky Watts have been sent out to consider their verdicts

Nathan Matthews, 28, allegedly suffocated his 16-year-old stepsister in a sexually motived kidnap plot with his girlfriend, Shauna Hoare, 21.

Becky's body was moved from her home in Crown Hill, Bristol, and dismembered in the couple's bath in Cotton Mill Lane, Bristol, with a circular saw.

Her remains, packed into suitcases and a plastic storage box, were discovered in a garden shed 80 metres away by police on March 3.

Karl Demetrius, 30, who owned the shed, and his colleague, Jamie Ireland, 23, moved the suitcases there with Matthews in the early hours of February 24.

The jury of 10 women and one man was sent out to consider its verdicts by Mr Justice Dingeman following 21 days of evidence at Bristol Crown Court.

The judge previously told the jurors: "When you come to consider your verdicts you, and you alone, must do that on the evidence that has been presented to you.

"You must undertake that task of deciding the relevant facts without emotion.

"You have heard about the dismemberment of Ms Watts' body, and listened to evidence which has challenged anyone who has heard it.

"However understandable, sympathies and concerns for Ms Watts and her family cannot affect your decision, any more than can understandable sympathies and concern for the defendants, some of whom have overlapping relatives, and their families.

"You must assess the evidence and act without favour to either prosecution or defence."

If jurors are not sure of a defendant's guilt, they must return a verdict of not guilty, and consider each defendant separately, he said.

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.

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

Donovan Demetrius, of Marsh Lane, Bristol, and James Ireland, 23, of Richmond Villas, Avonmouth, deny the charge.

Press Association