2:21pm Wednesday 3rd March 2010
A man has pleaded guilty to the murder of John Paul Bennett at the start of his trial at Preston Crown Court.
Philip Stewart, 34, from Adlington entered the plea this afternoon ahead of what was expected to be a three week long trial.
His co-defendant, Christen Gardner pleaded guilty to assisting an offender and this was also accepted by the Crown.
At a previous hearing in December, two men, Kevin Forbes, 53, and Alan Barton, 56 both of Leyland Lane, Leyland both pleaded guilty to assisting an offender.
John Paul Bennett was the victim of a violent assault at a house on the Avenue in Adlington on Thursday, September 17.
A post-mortem examination revealed the cause of death was head injuries inflicted by using severe force.
Mr Bennett had been out drinking in Chorley town centre with Stewart and Gardner.
All three of them then returned to Gardner’s house and joined Forbes and Barton and continued drinking. Later that night a disagreement took place and Stewart assaulted John Paul Bennett inflicting injuries that proved to be fatal.
Stewart then instructed the other three to help him dispose of the body.
They used a wheelie bin to transport the body down to the recreational area adjacent to the local community centre.
Petrol was poured on John Paul Bennett’s body and Stewart set him alight in an attempt to burn his body.
He was found by a man walking his dog the next morning.
A major investigation was launched and the four were arrested on Friday, September 18.
Detective Chief Inspector Andy Hulme from the Force Major Incident Team said: "I am satisfied with the outcome of this investigation.
"The fact that Stewart has admitted killing John Paul Bennett and pleaded guilty to his murder has saved the family of the deceased the ordeal of having to sit through a long trial.
"This was a reckless and completely unnecessary act. Stewart has shown no regard for human life, inflicting fatal injuries on Mr Bennett following a sustained attack before setting him on fire.
"This is one of the most appalling crimes I have investigated and I believe that the major motive for this horrific attack was jealousy.
"The other people chose to assist Stewart in disposing of the body and from a very early stage, Gardner did all she could to protect Stewart and obstruct our investigation.
"This has been a protracted investigation which has been made easier by the local members of the public. "The Adlington community have shown what good honest people they are and the support they have given to the investigation can only be commended.
“The past six months have been incredibly difficult for the family of John Bennett and they have conducted themselves with such dignity. I hope today can help to bring them some closure following their ordeal and we will continue to support them.”
All four defendants will be sentenced at Preston Crown Court on Friday at 10.30am.
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