Flammable liquid was found on the clothing of a Shropshire man found dead in a burnt out car in the countryside more than 15 years ago, a court has heard.

The body of Trevor Bradley was found in his Vauxhall Nova, in Melverley, near Oswestry, in 1994. His remains were so badly burnt his body could only be formally identified by using X-ray images.

Forensic scientist Roderick Stewart gave evidence yesterday at Birmingham Crown Court explaining he detected traces of white spirit on a sample of Mr Bradley’s clothes.

He said the flammable liquid found on material taken from the right underarm was “transferred or poured” there in a wet state.

The court had heard that Robin Ligus, who is standing trial for the murder of Mr Bradley, confessed to the killing in a police interview in 2000.

The defendant said he hit the 53-year-old over the head with an iron bar before dragging him into a car, dousing it with petrol and setting it alight.

Ligus, who faces two other charges of murdering Brian Coles and Bernard Czyzewska, also in 1994, is unfit to plead. The court heard an initial investigation of the car fire showed no sign of an accelerant being used.

However, Dr Stewart who carried out his examination of Mr Bradley’s clothing in 2008 said he could not rule it out.

He said: “It is very clear there was white spirit on the material.

“It was not just a trace. It was instantly recognisable. It was either transferred or poured there in a wet state.”

Another sample of clothing from Mr Bradley’s chest area was examined by Mr Stewart but showed no trace of flammable liquid.

Mr Stewart said due to the ferocity of the fire he was not surprised the white spirit went undetected in the initial investigation.

He added that the material sample the liquid was on was protected from damage by its position in Mr Bradley’s underarm.

The court heard from other experts this week who believed a fracture found on Mr Bradley’s skull was likely to have been caused by a blow to the head.

In October 1994, Mr Coles was found dead in his living room in Higher Heath, Whitchurch, while in November Mr Czyzewska was found dead in the River Severn.The trial continues.

By Sam Pinnington