Vulnerable teenager brutally killed by her aunt’s husband, murder trial told

A “VULNERABLE” 16- year- old girl was killed in a “cruel and brutal murder” with a “sexual motive” by her aunt’s husband, a court has heard.

Shane Mays, of Havant, Hampshire, is on trial at Winchester Crown Court charged with the murder of Louise Smith, who disappeared on VE Day. Her body was found 13 days later in woodland at Havant Thicket.

The 30- year- old defendant has admitted the manslaughter of the teenager, who had been living with him and his wife, Chazlynn Jayne Mays, known as CJ Mays, who was the cousin of Louise’s mother as well as the victim’s aunt.

James Newton- Price QC, prosecuting, told the court that Louise had been living with the couple in their one- bedroomed flat after “quarrelling” in April with her mother, Rebecca Cooper, because she wanted to spend more time with her boyfriend.

He said that she disappeared on May 8 and Ms Mays reported her missing later that afternoon.

The defendant told police that he had walked with Louise to a skatepark in Emsworth, but later changed his version by admitting to causing her death at Havant Thicket, he said.

Mr Newton- Price said: “The prosecution submits this was a cruel and brutal murder.”

He continued: “Her body was found in Havant Thicket at 11.45am on May 21 following an extensive search by Hampshire Police.

“Louise had been missing for 13 days by then, a determined attempt had been made to destroy her body.

“It was so badly burned and damaged by fire as to be unrecognisable.

“Her body had been subjected to extreme violence, this included repeated and heavy blows to her head. The bones and the structure of her face had been shattered, her jaw bone was completely detached from the skull.”

Mays denies murder and the trial continues.