UK: Lesbian drug addict couple accused of torturing pensioner to death
A lesbian couple are accused of torturing a pensioner to death in order to get his bank PIN details, Norwich Crown Court has heard.
Kelly Louise Barnes, 32, and Jodie Barnes, formerly Ramsbottom, 31, are accused of targeting Barry Reeve, 67, at his home in Norwich, on 9 February 2012, believing he had a secret stash of money.
In court on Tuesday the pair were described as drug addicts.
They beat the father of one and cut him with a knife before leaving him dying and prosecutors allege they turned the volume on Mr Reeve’s television up in an attempt to mask his screams.
Mr Reeve, known as Titch because of his small stature, is thought to have remained alive until at least the following morning.
Prosecutor Karim Khalil QC told the jury Mr Reeve’s body was discovered two weeks after the attack when his daughter called at the blood-spattered property.
Describing the alleged attack, Mr Khalil said “He was brutally beaten, cut with a sharp blade and left to die in his home, unable to summon help.
“It is a sad fact that he was not found until two weeks later when his daughter, Julie Reeve, called round.”
A post-mortem examination showed that Mr Reeve was alive for between 15 and 48 hours after suffering brain injuries.
Mr Reeve lived off a pension and benefits but was heard talking about having large sums of money, once claiming that he carried around £2,000 in cash, the court heard.
Kelly Louise Barnes and Jodie Barnes, both of Bixley Close, Norwich, who were in a civil partnership together, deny murder.
The trial continues.
