Supergrass is a marked man (From Warrington Guardian)

Supergrass is a marked man

A SUPERGRASS who helped detectives solve the horrific murder of Nantwich market trader Brian Waters will spend the rest of his life under a death threat, a court heard.

Drug courier David Moran was a key prosecution witness at the trial of two men who were convicted of murdering cannabis farmer Mr Waters, who was systematically tortured and killed in front of his own family.

Mr Waters, aged 44, of Mainwaring Close, Stapeley, was beaten, whipped, burned with acid, and attacked with an industrial staple gun at Burnt House Farm, near Knutsford.

He also suffered horrendous internal injuries when he was assaulted with an iron bar before being killed as his son and daughter watched in terror.

Mr Waters was targeted by a masked gang led by James Raven who was working on the orders of drug dealer John Wilson, who was chasing a £20,000 debt.

Later 41-year-old Moran, who acted as the 'eyes and ears' of Wilson on the day of the murder, was arrested and agreed to help police in their investigation.

Moran also gave 'invaluable' evidence at the Chester Crown Court trial when Raven and Wilson were convicted of the murder and jailed for life.

Now Moran, who has been in custody since last January, is set to walk free after a judge gave him a 21-month jail term for perverting the course of justice.

The court heard that on the orders of one of the murderers, he had destroyed two mobile phones used on the day of the killing.

Mr Justice Poole told Moran at Manchester Crown Court: "It cannot be sufficiently stressed that you were wholly unaware of what was to take place at the farm or of what was taking place at the farm.

"There is no doubt that the destruction of the phones caused great inconvenience to the police investigation, but the Crown concede your evidence at trial assisted in the conviction of Wilson.

"You gave every possible assistance to the police and your evidence was invaluable to the prosecution and the course of justice.

"Inevitably there are consequences for your family, for your friends and for your loved ones, and there are risks to those closest to you because of your assistance to the police.

"But so horrendous were the offences at the farm, any self-respecting criminal would have done precisely what you did."

Prosecutor David Prosser said Moran worked for Wilson - a major Manchester drugs baron - as a deliveryman and messenger transporting cocaine around Manchester and Cheshire.

Defending, Peter Wright QC said there was a 'master and servant relationship' between Wilson and Moran, who panicked when he discovered the enormity of the murder.

He added: "He did what he was told to do by Wilson. But when arrested he admitted his involvement from the outset and now his family have been exposed to a daily risk because of the assistance he provided.

"He is also at risk so far as his own safety is concerned and will have to spend his life constantly looking over his shoulder."

nantwich@guardiangrp.co.uk