This is the first picture of a teenage father-of-four from Telford charged with the murder of a 17-year-old engineering student in Norfolk.Johnathan Clarke, whose partner Kelli Glover is expecting their fifth child, is accused of murdering Simon Everitt.
Police today said a post mortem examination on Simon’s remains, found in woodland near Yarmouth on Saturday, revealed he had been tied to a tree and set on fire after being forced to drink petrol.
Detective Chief Inspector Steve Strong said Simon’s body had then been buried in a ditch and covered with soil.
The cause of death was inhalation of a combustible fluid.
Clarke, 19, was arrested on Tuesday at Miss Glover’s home in Queen Elizabeth Way, Malinslee, and taken to Norfolk where he yesterday appeared before magistrates in Great Yarmouth.
He was remanded in custody and will now appear before Norwich Crown Court on July 14 accused of murdering Yarmouth College student Simon between June 6 and 29.
Clarke is also accused of assaulting Simon on June 6 and possessing an offensive weapon in Great Yarmouth the same day.
He was remanded in custody by the town’s magistrates to Norwich Crown Court on July 14 when he will appear with Maria Chandler, 40, and Jimi Lee Stewart, 24, both of Great Yarmouth, who are also accused of Simon’s murder.
Miss Glover, speaking today at her semi-detached home in a quiet Telford cul-de-sac, said Clarke was originally from Great Yarmouth but had stayed with her frequently over the last few years and moved up to Telford to live with her three weeks ago.
She said he was the father of her two sons, aged six and four, and her daughters, aged three and one, and she had recently discovered she was pregnant by him again.
Miss Glover, 26, said: “I have no idea what is happening. The police came and took Johnathan on Tuesday and I haven’t heard anything since. I understand he’s entitled to a phone call but I haven’t heard from him. I don’t know what this is about.
“Johnathan doesn’t drink, doesn’t smoke and doesn’t do drugs.”
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