‘I DIDN’T INTEND TO KILL HER’

TEARS: Nathan Matthews NATHAN Matthews broke down in tears as he told a jury he did not intend to murder his stepsister Becky Watts.

He started crying and slumped into the witness box holding his head in his hands as he started giving evidence during his murder trial.

Matthews and girlfriend Shauna Hoare are accused of killing the 16-year-old in a sexually motivated kidnap plot.

Adam Vaitilingam QC, defending, asked his client: “Did you intend to kill Becky?”

Fighting back tears, Matthews replied: “No.”

Mr Vaitilingam asked: “Did you intend to cause her really serious injury?”

Virgin Teen Gets Raped in her Own Matthews answered: “No.” He then burst into tears, telling the court: “No, no... no I didn’t.”

He then slumped into the witness box holding his head in his hands and loudly crying. He paused to compose himself and took some sips of water before continuing to give his evidence.

Matthews entered the witness box on day 14 of the trial to give the jury his account of events in February and March this year.

Mr Vaitilingam asked him: “Excluding Shauna, did you have a plan to kidnap Becky Watts?” Matthews replied: “Yes.” Mr Vaitilingam asked: “Was Shauna part of that plan?” He replied: “No.” Mr Vaitilingam asked: “You admit that you had a plan to kidnap Becky but you deny that you conspired with Shauna to do so?”

Matthews told the court: “Yes.”

Mr Vaitilingam said: “You and Shauna Hoare are charged with the murder of Becky Watts. Putting Shauna out of the picture, the jury have been told that you pleaded not guilty to murder but pleaded guilty to manslaughter. Is that right?” Matthews replied: “Yes.” Referring to the perverting course of justice charge, Mr Vaitilingam asked Matthews: “You admit that you hid, then dismembered, then hid again Becky’s body?”

Matthews said: “Yes.”

Mr Vaitilingam asked: “Do you admit you lied to police when they were investigating her disappearance.”

Matthews told the jury: “Yes.”

Mr Vaitilingam asked his client whether he had prevented the lawful burial of a corpse and he replied: “By my actions, yes. I didn’t... yeah...”

Matthews, of Warmley, South Glos, 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 Bristol, denies murder, conspiracy to kidnap, perverting the course of justice, preventing burial of a corpse.