Day Nine: John Coates Murder Trial (From The Northern Echo)

12:39pm

The closing speeches for both the prosecution and defence have finished this morning. The case has been adjourned until 2.10pm when the judge will start his summing up in the trial of Robert Baker. The 24-year-old is charged with murdering John Coates in his flat in Fleet House, Cargo Fleet Lane, Middlesbrough, in September last year.

12:26pm

Mr Bethel says it would make no sense for Mr Baker to use lavatory cleaner to clean an Xbox in Jamie Freer's kitchen. He reminds the jurors that Mr Freer did not mention it in police interview until November, six weeks after he failed to mention it in a previous statement.

12:12pm

The barrister reminds jurors that no traces of Mr Baker's DNA had been found in Mr Coates' flat. there was also no evidence of blood splatter from the victim being found on His client's clothing.

12:07pm

He tells the jury that there were fingerprints found in Mr Coates' flat could not be identified or explained by police. He says: "They are the prints of the real killer."

11:50am

Mr Bethel tells the jury that his client cannot explain how Mr Baker's thumb print was found in the victim's blood on a piece of plastic. He suggests to them that it could have been placed there by someone else on purpose.

11:26am

Defence barrister Martin Bethel starts his closing speech in the Robert Baker trial.

11:17am

Mr Lumley added Freer must have known the significance of what he was going to tell you (the jury) he didn't want to say it and he didn't enjoy saying it.

11:14am

Describing the evidence that Baker's friend Jamie Freer gave, Mr Lumley said it was clear that it took him a long time to tell the police about the vital evidence of washing the Xbox and games in his flat.

10:53am

Mr Lumley tells the jury that Robert Baker appeared to tremble and show signs of discomfort when being cross examined about the fingerprint evidence.

10:39am

NIcholas Lumley is now making the closing statement of the prosecution case.

10:35am

Defence barrister Martin Bethel tells the jury he is calling no further witnesses. The trial now enters the final stages.

9:35am

Graeme Hetherington will be reporting live from Teesside Crown Court from 10.30am as the John Coates murder trial enters its ninth day with defence calling their final witnesses.