A Shropshire drug addict accused of the murders of three men knocked on doors in the county offering garden work so he could hand-pick vulnerable victims and valuable items, a court heard.

Robin Ligus, 59, formerly of Middletown Square, Shrewsbury, is standing trial at Birmingham Crown Court. He is currently serving a life sentence for murdering Robert Young in the same year.

The father-of-three is charged with murdering Trevor Bradley, Brian Coles and Bernard Czyzewska, who were all found dead within the space of seven months in 1994.

The court heard that Ligus grew up in the Shrewsbury area and lived with his partner in the town.

A painter and decorator by trade, he was keen on the outdoors and particularly fond of fishing in the River Severn near Melverley.

He also enjoyed the hobby of taxidermy which he carried out while in his garden shed.

The court heard that Ligus began taking heroin in the 1990s and later took cocaine, making regular trips to Liverpool to pick up drugs.

Mr James Curtis QC, prosecuting counsel, said Ligus knocked on people’s doors offering garden work to detect places with vulnerable people and valuable items.

Meanwhile, the judge overseeing the case has warned the jury to expect an “unusual” trial.

The case, which has been listed for up to six weeks and is due to involve more than 150 witness statements, is likely to go ahead without Ligus present for large parts.

In May, Judge Mr Justice Colman Treacy ruled that he was unfit to plead having considered extensive medical and psychological reports.

Judge Treacy has instructed a jury to decide at the end of the trial if Ligus is responsible for the unlawful killing of the three men rather than pass the normal verdict of guilty or not guilty.

He added that Ligus would not give evidence and would be wheeled in and out of the dock at stages.

“This is a rather unusual trial,” said Judge Treacy.

“The fact is in recent times, not long prior to the trial, Mr Ligus was examined and given psychiatric tests. On the evidence I decided that he was not fit to plea.

“After hearing the evidence you will not be asked if he is guilty or not guilty. A different process will apply.

“You will be asked if Mr Ligus did the acts alleged against him, in other words, if he unlawfully killed these people.”

The trial continues.

By Sam Pinnington