A man accused of murdering and dismembering his friend made chilling statements to his girlfriend, indicating a willingness to repeat the heinous act if given the chance, a court has been told.
Benjamin Atkins, 49, allegedly informed Debbie Pereira, 39, that he would “kill, decapitate, and eat” again if released during a conversation about their friend Simon Shotton’s murder.
The trial, unfolding at Winchester Crown Court, centres on the death of 48-year-old Simon Shotton, whose decomposed legs were discovered in packages on the Manor Steps Zig Zag footpath on Boscombe seafront in August 2023.
Atkins purportedly discussed with Pereira the possibility of admitting to extreme acts involving Simon’s remains to sway legal outcomes.
Recordings from a police van after their arrest captured the couple boasting about the killing, although both deny involvement in Mr Shotton’s murder. They face charges related to preventing lawful burial and obstructing justice.
Prosecutor Paul Cavin KC detailed how a member of the public stumbled upon a package containing a human foot, triggering the discovery of additional body parts linked to Mr Shotton via DNA tests.
Medical examination revealed that the dismemberment was not surgical, indicating an amateurish approach to the grim task, according to Mr. Cavin.
Mr Shotton, previously incarcerated for drug offences in Ipswich, had relocated to Bournemouth post-release, as evidenced by his traced mobile phone sale to a local shop facilitated by Pereira.
Police raids at the defendants’ residence led to the discovery of severed arms in bin bags, with Atkins attempting to evade capture in the garden.
During police questioning, Pereira acknowledged drug use with Mr. Shotton but denied knowledge of his demise, attributing suspicious activities to Atkins, including purchases of disposal materials like bleach and tape.
Transcripts from the police van recordings reveal Atkins joking about hiding body parts and expressing a readiness to repeat his actions, citing grievances against drug dealers.
The conversation also discussed police evidence collection methods, highlighting efforts to cover their tracks.
Pereira’s claims about Atkins citing divine instructions contradict recorded statements, suggesting a rift in their narratives regarding motive and responsibility.
The trial’s ongoing proceedings delve into the nature of interactions among the accused, victim, and circumstantial evidence surrounding Mr Shotton’s tragic end.
Legal teams are scrutinizing testimonies, recordings, and physical evidence to establish accountability and uncover the motivations behind the gruesome crime.
The case underscores the complexities of criminal investigations involving violent acts and the roles of accomplices, adding layers to the pursuit of justice within the judicial system.
As the trial progresses, more insights into the events leading to Mr Shotton’s death and subsequent attempts to conceal the crime are expected
Further investigations in the garden led to the discovery of two black bin bags containing the severed arms of Mr Shotton, adding to the macabre evidence.
During a police interview, Pereira acknowledged Mr Shotton’s drug use but denied knowledge of his death, conceding only to his temporary stay in a garden tent.
Pereira recounted Atkins engaging in unusual activities like woodcutting, burning items, including shoes, and purchasing materials like black bin liners, bleach, and tape, hinting at potential involvement in disposal efforts.
Prosecutor Paul Cavin described recordings from the police van, capturing disturbing conversations between Pereira and Atkins about the dismembered body parts.
In one exchange, Pereira questioned Atkins about hidden body parts, prompting a callous response about discarding the arms in the garden.
Atkins’ chilling statements during the conversation reveal a disturbing mindset, expressing a readiness to repeat the violent act given the chance.
His references to drug-related grievances and extreme violence further underscore a troubled perspective on criminal justice and retribution.
Discussions also highlighted attempts to obscure evidence through bleach use, emphasizing awareness of forensic procedures.
Contrasting accounts emerge as Pereira claims Atkins admitted to the killing during private conversations, diverging from Atkins’ recorded statements.
