Gambler 'killed and dismembered his friend before stealing his identity' court hears
A GAMBLER killed his friend and dumped his dismembered torso in a suitcase before stealing from his bank accounts and moving into his home, a court heard.
Ming Jiang, left, is accused of killing Yang Liu so he could pay off his gambling debts
Ming Jiang, 43, killed Yang Liu, 36, so he could assume his identity, steal his money and pay off his gambling debts, a jury was told yesterday.
Mr Liu’s body was found in the suitcase in a lay-by on the A628 Woodhead Pass over the Pennines last October.
Mr Liu’s body was found in the suitcase in a lay-by on the A628 Woodhead Pass
It was claimed Jiang’s car was seen in the vicinity on October 9.
His gambling habit was expensive and he was being chased by creditors
Manchester’s Minshull Street Crown Court heard Jiang had met fellow Chinese national Mr Liu at his flat in MediaCity, Salford.
Prosecutor Peter Wright said: “The defendant was in debt. His gambling habit was expensive and he was being chased by creditors.
"By early October 2016, Jiang had come up with a solution to his financial problems. He murdered Yang Liu.
Mr Jiang assumed Mr Liu's identity to gain access to his bank account, a court heard
“He dismembered the body, in all likelihood in his flat, and disposed of his former friend.
"He then set about assuming his identity, gaining access to his bank account and his apartment.”
The jury were told the body was “extensively dismembered” in an attempt to stop identification through teeth or fingerprints.
Mr Wright said Jiang stuffed the torso into the suitcase before driving it to the remote spot from the site of the murder and setting it on fire.
Jiang, of Beswick, Manchester, denies murder.
The trial continues.