Friend denies sex with crossbow murder accused
AFRIEND of a man accused of murder has denied having a sexual encounter with him near to where a pensioner was shot with a crossbow.
Terence Michael Whall, 39, of Bryngwran in Anglesey, denies murdering Gerald Corrigan on Good Friday last year when the 74-year-old was hit with a bolt and later died of his injuries.
Whall claimed he was having an affair with a male friend, Barry Williams, in a field nearby, which is why the Land Rover Discovery he drove was located at the scene around the time Mr Corrigan was shot and killed outside his remote Holyhead home.
Giving evidence behind a screen at Mold Crown Court yesterday, Mr Williams denied ever having a sexual relationship with Whall or any sexual activity with him on the Thursday night before Mr Corrigan was shot.
Mr Williams told the court the pair met a few years ago when Whall worked as a personal trainer.
Mr Williams, who was suffering an injury at the time, was looking for a sports massage and he was told to go to Whall.
They became friends and both had a keen interest in martial arts.
Mr Williams then started helping Whall with self-defence DVDs at a new premises at Treborth off Menai Bridge, the court heard.
On the Thursday before Mr Corrigan was shot, Mr Williams said he went to his parents’ house at Newborough on
Anglesey from Conwy to pick up a wallet and was there from about 10.30pm to 2am on Good Friday.
Mr Williams claimed he was told to say that he was with Whall on that night by the accused, when he visited the solicitors representing Whall.
But in cross-examination, David Elias QC claimed Mr Williams had made up the wallet story and when Whall’s solicitors told him about a possible sexual relationship, he didn’t tell them it was “rubbish” or “nonsense”. “Why not?” said Mr Elias.
“Not sure,” said Mr Williams. Whall also denies a charge of perverting the course of justice.
Gavin Jones, 36, of High Street, Bangor, is charged with conspiracy to commit arson and conspiracy to pervert the court of justice.
The trial continues.