Murder accused 'bragged of torture'

Murder accused Jonathan Clarke bragged to friends that he had 'tortured, killed and buried' victim Simon Everitt, Norwich Crown Court heard today.A 15-year-old, who cannot be named for legal reasons, told jurors that although friends did not originally believe the claims, they later became concerned and contacted the police.

Murder accused Jonathan Clarke bragged to friends that he had 'tortured, killed and buried' victim Simon Everitt, Norwich Crown Court heard today.

A 15-year-old, who cannot be named for legal reasons, told jurors that although friends did not originally believe the claims, they later became concerned and contacted the police.

The boy said: 'First he said he had Simon hid up somewhere and he was going to kill him and torture him. We said we didn't believe him.

'Then he changed his mind and said he had already tortured him then killed him and buried him in Fritton woods.

'My girlfriend and my father told police what he had said.'

Engineering student Mr Everitt, 17, from Yarmouth, was found dumped in a swamp at nearby Mautby woods in June last year. He had been tied to a tree, doused in petrol and set on fire.

The court has heard that Mr Everitt and defendants Clarke and Jimi-Lee Stewart had all been in relationships with the same girl.

Clarke, 19, from Telford, Stewart, 25, of Nelson Road Central, Yarmouth, and Maria Chandler, 40, of Lancaster Road, Yarmouth, all deny murder.

Chandler's boyfriend is expected to give evidence this afternoon.

The case continues.