Murdered teenager Simon Everitt reported an attack by a Shropshire man accused of killing him to police just hours before disappearing, a court heard.

Jurors heard the 17-year-old engineering student, of Great Yarmouth, had seemed “petrified” as he spoke to officers about the incident in June last year involving Jonathan Clarke, 19, of Telford, who denies murder.

Jimi-Lee Stewart, 25, and 40-year-old Maria Chandler, both of Great Yarmouth, Norfolk, also deny murder.

The hearing continues.

The court heard Mr Everitt told police he had been punched, kicked and chased through the street by Clarke. He had also received a number of increasingly menacing text messages.

This meeting with police on June 6 was one of the last times he was seen alive. That month, Everitt’s burned, decomposed body was found dumped in a swamp.

Police established he had been tied to a tree, doused in petrol and set alight.

The court heard yesterday both Mr Everitt and Clarke, of Queen Elizabeth Way, Malinslee, had fallen in love with the same girl, Fiona Statham.

Heather Bryson, with whom Clarke had lived, said Clarke was “head over heels in love with her”.

She had warned Mr Everitt he would be better off without her, but he said he “loved her and was prepared to fight for her”.

A statement from Constable Terry Chambers said Mr Everitt told the officer he had been chased by Clarke and his brother David.

He said Clarke shouted: “I’m going to smash you up” and: “When I get my hands on you, I’m going to kill you”.

Johnathan Clarke

On June 6, Mr Everitt met Clarke, Chandler and another man in St George’s Park, Great Yarmouth, to sort out their differences.

This resulted in Clarke pushing him to the ground before punching and kicking him. Norwich Crown Court heard Mr Everitt reported this incident to the police and had seemed “extremely frightened” of Clarke.

He was last seen on June 6 and his body was found on June 29. The case continues.

By Lisa Rowley