Louise Smith trial: Accused Shane Mays 'returned' to set fire to teenager's body at Havant Thicket
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Prosecutor James Newton-Price QC said Louise’s body had been ‘damaged and defiled’ in a way that suggests Shane Mays had a ‘sexual interest’ in 16-year-old Louise.
Louise ‘suffered a violent and unlawful death and her body had been burned and violated,’ prosecutor James Newton-Price QC said.
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Hide AdJurors at Winchester Crown Court were told she suffered 19 injuries, and was found by two police officers next to two fallen and scorched tree trunks at a clearing in Havant Thicket at 11.45am on May 21.
‘Impressionable’ Louise, who was 5ft tall, was found on her back with burned and charred sticks around her, one of the police officers who found her said. Her body had been ‘torched,’ the court heard.
She had suffered repeated heavy blows to her face capable of killing her if they were inflicted when she was alive, Mr Newton-Price said.
‘One hopes that was not the case,’ he added.
Jurors were told lighter fluid could have been used, according to a fire damage expert's report. Remnants of a lighter were found.
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Hide AdBranches had been placed near Louise to help the fire, he added. Jurors were shown photos of the scene with her body blackened.
Louise’s ‘jaw was dismantled,’ the court heard.
Parts of her body had been burned away, pathologist Dr Basil Purdue found.
Dr Purdue ruled her death was unascertained, jurors heard.
Mr Newton-Price said it was likely 30-year-old Mays had ‘returned to burn her body’ after killing her. He said: ‘He knew Havant Thicket. He made bonfires with others as a teenager.’
Earlier jurors were told the killing would have happened between 1pm and 3pm on the 75th anniversary of VE Day, May 8 this year.
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Hide AdDuring two two-hour interviews after initially being arrested for kidnap while the search continued, Mays told police ‘a series of lies that were intended to deflect blame,’ Mr Newton-Price said.
He told detectives he had last seen her when he took her to a skatepark at Emsworth, the court heard.
‘That was the last time,’ he said. ‘I don’t know where she is otherwise I would have told you by now.
‘I’ve not had nothing to do with her disappearance.’
After the two interviews he gave a prepared statement that said: ‘I’ve not caused her any harm or committed any crime in relation to her in any way.’
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Hide AdMays had also said he joined the search for Louise, and that he had been ‘stitched up’ by others.
‘He’s clearly tried to divert blame towards other people,’ Mr Newton-Price said.
Mays, of Somborne Drive, Leigh Park, denies murder. He has admitted manslaughter.
(Proceeding)