Murder jury told accused did lie

Tuesday 17th November 2009, 8:00PM GMT.

George Black A woman accused of attempting to pervert the course of justice in a Shropshire murder trial told lies to put police “off the track”, a court has heard.

Mr Paul Connell, for Sylvia Jane Smith, who is known as Dinky, said that she lied to protect others involved in the incident in which George Black was doused in petrol and set alight last year.

The 41-year-old pawnbroker died two days later in hospital as a result the attack at the Square in Bucknell on December 8, the jury at Worcester Crown Court has heard.

Robert Field, 22, of Etnam Street, Leominster, and Gareth Powell, 29, of the Grove, Shobdon, Leominster, both deny murder.

Mr Black’s partner Sylvia Marie Smith, 22, who is known as Rudy, of Cherrybrook Close, Hope-under-Dinmore, who also suffered burns during the incident, had been having an affair with Field and believed she was carrying his child. She denies conspiracy to murder and attempting to pervert the course of justice.

Sylvia Marie Smith’s mother, Sylvia Jane (Dinky) Smith, 42, and her stepfather, Steven Smith, 46, also of Cherrybrook Close, Hope-under-Dinmore, both deny attempting to pervert the course of justice.

Neither Dinky Smith and Steven Smith took the stand during the trial .

Mr Connell told the court that his client has been “in the dark” over her daughter’s affair with Field and did not intend to pervert the course of justice.

The trial continues.

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