Triple murder suspect fished in spot where body was found

Shropshire triple murder suspect Robin Ligus used to fish in a remote area where one of his alleged victims was found in a burnt-out car, a court heard today.

Steven Larter, who had been a childhood friend of Ligus, said they often went fishing together in an area they called the "Big Hole" in Melverley, near Oswestry.

Giving evidence today at Birmingham Crown Court he said they sometimes fished at the spot, camping at the site overnight.

Ligus, who was not present for today's hearing, is accused of murdering Ludlow antiques dealer Trevor Bradley, whose body was found in a burnt-out car in Melverley in October 1994.

The defendant is also charged with the murders of Brian Coles and Bernard Czyzewska, who died in the same year.

Mr Larter today said he grew up with Ligus.

He said: "At the time I was a coarse fisherman and we mostly went fishing for eels at night.

"We went to a place in Melverley. It was a remote area down twisty lanes. Sometimes we camped over night.

"We called it the 'hole' because it was a big backwash where the eels would get into."

Mr Larter said they had to drive off the main highway to get to the fishing spot and travel down a dirt track before parking the car and walking across fields.

The court had previously heard that Mr Bradley was found in his burnt-out Vauxhall Nova car on farmland in Melverley on April 27, 1994.

His body was so badly damaged by fire he could only be identified through X-ray records.

Ligus was ruled unfit to plead to the three murders he is on trial for following a review. The trial continues.

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