THE barrister of a man accused of murdering a widow and grandmother who fostered more than 50 children has described aspects of the prosecution evidence as “plain nonsense”.
Gareth Dack’s barrister Peter Makepeace also said the defendant had no idea he was in the frame for the murder of Norma Bell, which explained much of his subsequent actions.
Mrs Bell was found dead in her burning home in Hartlepool in April last year after being strangled.
Mr Makepeace set out to deal with what he called the “strands” in the Crown’s evidence, telling the jury at Teesside Crown Court: “I hope you see them for the flimsy items that they are”.
This included cash found in 33-year-old Mr Dack’s car which the prosecution claim was stolen from Mrs Bell’s home in Westbourne Road, Hartlepool, and which had his fingerprints on it.
Norma Bell
The barrister said: “It was cash he had handled by his own account, but where is the evidence that the money was stolen [from Mrs Bell’s house]?
“If you commit a murder or arson would you leave the money you have allegedly stolen in your car in the street?
“Why would you take such a risk?
“It is infinitely more consistent that it was the proceeds of drug dealing than a theft from Norma Bell.”
Mr Makepeace said the description given by a witness who saw someone carrying a television taken from the 79-year-old pensioner’s home did not match Mr Dack and it was “at least 45 minutes before he was in the locality”.
The defendant, wearing a purple shirt and purple tie, listened intently from the dock as Mr Makepeace described how nonchalant he had been following his arrest and questioning by police.
The barrister, who said Mr Dack made no attempt to get his rid of any of his clothing, said: “He does not know that the wheels are turning and the cogs are moving which is going to lead him to be accused of the death of Mrs Bell.
“He does not know because he was not there.”
He said the jury had to be analytical and ask itself probing questions of the evidence.
Trial judge Mrs Justice Whipple will begin her summing up of the case later today with the jury expected to be sent out to deliver its verdicts on Tuesday.
Dack, of Windermere Road, Hartlepool, denies charges of murder and arson being reckless as to whether life was endangered. The trial continues.
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