Man denies brutal kebab shop murder

A MAN murdered a woman who went missing on a night out before dismembering her body in his room above a kebab shop, a jury heard.

Lorraine Cox, 32, was last seen walking home from a night out with friends at about 1.30am on September 1 last year, but did not arrive and her whereabouts were a “mystery” for the next week.

Exeter Crown Court heard Miss Cox had the “great misfortune” to be spotted by Azam Mangori, 24, who used the name Christopher Mayer, as she was walking back alone.

He allegedly took Miss Cox to his home above a kebab shop in the city and killed her there before dismembering her body into seven pieces, jurors were told.

After murdering Miss Cox, Mangori is said to have used her SIM card in his mobile phone to pretend that she was alive and well to family and friends.

However, she was reported missing by her father and a large police investigation was launched – with officers interviewing Mangori eight days after her disappearance.

Mangori was later charged with murdering Miss Cox. He denies the charge.

The court heard he previously admitted a separate charge of preventing Miss Cox’s lawful burial.

The defendant, of no fixed abode, denies murder.

The trial, expected to last for four weeks, continues.