Murder trial opens (From Warrington Guardian)

Murder trial opens

ANOTHER man has gone on trial accused of playing a part in the gangland killing of Nantwich market trader Brian Waters.

Otis Lee Matthews, 26, from Stretford, Manchester, denies murdering Mr Waters and conspiring to cause

grievous bodily harm to him and fellow torture victim Suleman Razak.

Prosecuting Patrick Harrington QC told Chester Crown Court on Wednesday that Matthews planned Mr

Waters' death and also helped carry it out.

Mr Waters, 44, of Mainwaring Close, Stapeley, was killed in a makeshift torture chamber at Burn House

Farm near Knutsford on June 19 last year.

Mr Harrington QC said the attack was carried out as 'revenge' for a £20,000 drug debt Mr Waters owed.

"There is compelling forensic evidence that puts Otis Lee Matthews in that barn that day - he was in it up to the hilt," he said.

"He was one of those that planned the events and one of those that participated in them.

"There was a plan amongst the gang not to leave forensic clues behind.

"They wore balaclavas to hide their identity and masked Mr Waters and Mr Razak as well.

"The gang decided food, drink and cigarettes were not to be left lying around but put in a carrier bag and taken away at the end of the day.

"But when the police arrived, they ran off without it (the bag) and the contents have since been forensically examined.

"The clues include evidence that commits Otis Lee Matthews to being a member of the gang - a drinks bottle and a cigarette packet have his DNA on them."

Mr Waters received 123 separate injuries after being used as a human punch bag and attacked with canes and an industrial strength staple gun.

The post mortem also revealed he was strangled, had molten plastic poured on him, and suffered 23 fractures to his ribs and bleeding on his brain.

He eventually died when a metal bar was driven through his clothes and six inches into his body, causing major damage to his internal organs.

The trial continues.