A MAN'S body had been "physically forced" into a space between sea defence rocks and could not have ended up there naturally, a murder trial heard yesterday.

A statement by forensic scientist Peter Grant was read to a jury at Teesside Crown Court, in which he said tests had been carried out with a dummy of similar weight and height to John Paul Jeffries.

The body of Mr Jeffries, of Lowthian Road, Hartlepool, was found by fishermen at Skeleton Pier, at Hartlepool Marina, in January, wedged between sea defence rocks. He had been beaten to death.

Mr Jeffries, 18, had been missing from home for six days.

Kevin Littlewood, 18, of St Paul's Road, Hartlepool, denies murdering Mr Jeffries. He also denies a charge of theft of a video recorder and CD player belonging to Mr Jeffries' father.

Mr Grant's statement said a flexible dummy was used to see whether Mr Jeffries' body could have come to rest between the rocks naturally.

He said the gap in the rocks was 12cm and it was found the hip of the dummy had to be "forced" into the narrow gap between the boulders.

In conclusion, Mr Grant said: "John Paul Jeffries could not have been washed into the hole where he was found.

"The body could not have ended up where it was by natural means, but was physically forced into the gap."

The prosecution claim Mr Jeffries died after being beaten by Mr Littlewood in a dispute over money.

The case was adjourned until Monday.