Killers flashed wads of cash on spree, jury told

A shop assistant has told how a man accused of murdering an elderly businessman in his bungalow in Biddenden flashed the cash after the killing at a store she worked at in the Ashford Designer Outlet.

Mark Love is alleged to have brutally beaten Roy Blackman to death at his home in March this year. He denies murder.

Burglars who broke into Mr Blackman’s home took a safe containing at least £100,000, Maidstone Crown Court heard.

The jury was told the raid was carried out by the same gang that launched a violent attack on the home of a champion clay pigeon marksman.

Roy Blackman, who lived in Headcorn Road, was stripped naked at his home and punched, kicked and stamped on by burglars who eventually fled with the safe containing the cash.

Love, 38, is on trial accused of murdering the 73-year-old garage owner and bird breeder in March, and aggravated burglary at the home of George and Kate Digweed in Ewhurst Lane, Northiam, Rye, East Sussex, a month before.

Prosecutor Simon Taylor also alleged that another man, William Smith – who was later shot dead by police – was part of the gang involved in both offences.

Mr Taylor said DNA from both Love, of Frittenden Road, Staplehurst, and Smith, who was 36 and from Golford near Cranbrook, was found at the scene of both crimes.

A post mortem examination on Mr Blackman revealed his injuries were concentrated on his head.

He had black eyes, a broken nose, fractured left cheekbone and bleeding consistent with a brain injury.

Mr Blackman had injuries to his hands and arms from trying to protect himself from blows.

It is alleged the safe stolen from his address contained between £100,000 and £250,000, property deeds, jewellery belonging to his late wife and an air rifle.

After visiting the Designer Outlet, Love and Smith later went to a betting shop in Beaver Lane and gambled £140 on a gaming machine.

Mr Taylor said Love was arrested after he presented himself at Folkestone police station on April 7.

Asked how his DNA came to be at the bungalow, he said: “No idea and all I can say is no comment.”

The trial continues.