Man denies confessing murder to his mother (From The Northern Echo)

Man denies confessing murder to his mother

10:46am Saturday 28th November 2009 in

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A MAN accused of being part of a gang which stamped and kicked a drinking friend to death has denied he confessed the killing to his mother and sister.

The trial into the murder of Simon Sneddon, from Barnard Castle, in County Durham, was told that Mark Frederick Bennett later told police he felt like a “pure evil bastard” after the attack.

Mr Bennett, 24, is jointly charged with Caroline Victoria Barnett, 26, and 31-yearold Tracey Anne Whattam of the murder of the 25-year-old homeless man, who was found battered to death in a terraced house in Darlington last November.

All three plead not guilty, while a fourth man, Philip John Nichol, of no fixed address, has admitted murder.

Last week, the trial at Teesside Crown Court heard testimony from Mr Bennett’s sister, Lisa, and mother, Iris Hamilton, who both said he had admitted that he and his friends had killed someone after an argument over a mobile phone.

However, during cross examination yesterday, Mr Bennett denied that the conversations had ever taken place.

He told the court: “I said we had been in a fight. I said I had hit someone three or four times. They asked who was involved, and I said me, Phil and Tracey.”

The court heard that tread marks from Mr Bennett’s trainers were imprinted on the dead man’s back.

Paul Sloane, prosecuting, said that the women were telling the truth, and said to Bennett: “The truth is, given your actions, even your mother was not prepared to protect you.”

Mr Bennett, formerly of West Moor Road, Darlington, replied: “I never said I murdered someone – I said a lad died.”

He admitted that he had punched homeless Mr Sneddon twice in the face, and stamped on his side and ankle because he believed he had stolen his phone, but claimed that Ms Whattam and Mr Nichol had then continued the attack with kicks and stamps.

“I did cause him some harm, but I didn’t cause his death,” he told the court.

Mr Sloane said: “Mr Bennett, it is because of everything you did on that night that you described your behaviour as that of a ‘pure evil bastard’.

“Your description to police was entirely accurate, wasn’t it?”

Mr Bennett replied: “No, it wasn’t.”

Ms Barnett, of no fixed address, and Ms Whattam, formerly of Vicarage House, Newton Aycliffe, County Durham, will be cross examined next week.

The trial continues.