THE judge in a murder trial is expected to conclude his summing-up today before the jury retires to consider its verdicts.

After a day’s delay, the Recorder of Middlesbrough, Judge Peter Fox, began his speech to the jury of seven men and five women yesterday.

Clare Nicholls, 28, her brother, Simon Nicholls, 24, and her former lover, Steven Martin, 44, deny the murder of Andrew Gardner last March.

Mr Gardner was found dead by paramedics responding to a 999 call at the home in Chilton, County Durham, he shared with the three defendants.

The prosecution alleges that the 35-year-old had been kicked, punched, kneed, burnt, whipped and slashed in the weeks leading up to his death.

A post-mortem examination showed Mr Gardner had more than 120 separate injuries – including 21 rib fractures – as well as bleeding on the brain.

He also had blood poisoning and was showing signs of malnutrition.

The main cause of death is said to have been the chest injuries he suffered.

The defendants, all of Arthur Street, Chilton, deny murder, claiming they had either not intended to cause serious harm, or did not do so.

The case continues.