Becky Watts trial: Man was used in 'callous and calculating way', court hears
A MAN accused of moving the remains of dead teenager Becky Watts was used in 'callous and calculating way', a court heard.
The trial into the death of Becky Watts continues
Her remains, packed into suitcases and a plastic storage box, were discovered in a garden shed 80 metres away by police on March 3.
Karl Demetrius, 30, who owned the shed, and his work colleague Jamie Ireland, 23, moved the suitcases there with Matthews in the early hours of February 24.
A jury of 10 women and one man heard closing speeches for Ireland, who denies assisting an offender and Karl Demetrius's twin brother Donovan Demetrius in Becky's murder trial, following 21 days of evidence.
Becky Watts
Karl Demetrius, in a callous and calculating way, took advantage of Jamie Ireland.
Sean Hammond, Ireland's barrister, told jurors: "He is a decent man - never been in trouble before.
"Those who know him best say he would rather run a mile than get involved in criminal matters.
"He has been used. Karl Demetrius, in a callous and calculating way, took advantage of Jamie Ireland.
"He knew he had difficulties, he knew he wouldn't ask questions. He knew that Jamie would accept what he told him.
"As a result, unwittingly Jamie transported suitcases and a storage box containing Becky Watts' body.
"He told you how upset and distraught he was when this was made clear to him, that was a genuine reaction.
"He had no idea what he had done until the police told him. He never even met or heard of Nathan Matthews before the 23 and 24 of February."
A police van at Bristol Crown Court
Mr Hammond said his client had "no reason" to help Matthews, get involved in criminal activity or think that a robbery had been committed.
Prosecutors allege Ireland was offered £5,000 to help Matthews and believed that he had committed a robbery, or was handling stolen goods.
Demetrius, who drives a moped, asked Ireland to give Matthews and Hoare a lift from her mother's home in Southmead, Bristol, that night.
The three men then returned to Demetrius and Ireland's work in Filton - where they were on a night shift - to pick up a van.
Ireland, who suffers from ADHD and autism, was informed that Matthews had been kicked out of Hoare's terraced home.
Matthews and Demetrius packed suitcases and the storage box by torch light, while Ireland waited in the hallway.
Mr Hammond added: "Firstly he picked him up with his girlfriend and then goes back and they are filling ordinary suitcases - nothing at all to make alarm bells ring in his mind.
"It is clear Jamie Ireland is the sort of man who would take at face value, wouldn't question, wouldn't examine the other circumstances."
They then went to Barton Court, where Demetrius lived, and packed the items into his shed.
Mr Hammond said Demetrius had "no intention" of telling Ireland the truth or offering him a share of the £10,000.
Nathan Matthews
Text messages between Karl Demetrius and his partner, Jaydene Parsons, were sent while Ireland was driving.
At 1.06am, Parson texted: "all done xxx?"
Demetrius replied: "not yet babe"
She then wrote: "ah ok you going to hide it for him we could do with the money lol xxx"
Later, Parson sent her boyfriend a text saying: "cool that's a deposit on a house lol xxx"
The barrister disputed that Ireland was in debt and said he believed he would be paid between £20 and £40 for his help that evening, not a large payout.
Dean George, for Donovan Demetrius said the suggestion his client helped Matthews was "baffling" and said there was no evidence to support it.
His client earned his money by hard work and it was a "very cheap assertion" that he would become involved for financial gain, he added.
Matthews, of Hazelbury Drive, Warmley, South Gloucestershire, denies murder and conspiracy to kidnap.
He admits killing Becky, perverting the course of justice, preventing the burial of a corpse and possessing a prohibited weapon.
Hoare, of Cotton Mill Lane, Bristol, denies murder, conspiracy to kidnap, perverting the course of justice, preventing burial of a corpse and possessing a prohibited weapon.
Karl Demetrius, 30, and his partner Jaydene Parsons, 23, the occupants of the Barton Court property, admit assisting an offender.
Donovan Demetrius, of Marsh Lane, Bristol, and James Ireland, 23, of Richmond Villas, Avonmouth, deny the charge.