THE jury has been sent out in the trial of a murder-accused couple.

Members of the jury in the murder trial of Benjamin Atkins and Debbie Pereira were sent to begin their deliberations at 10.54am on Wednesday.

The pair are accused of murdering 49-year-old Simon Shotton at their flat in Aylesbury Road, Boscombe, on August 18 last year.

Mr Shotton's severed remains were found dumped in the Boscombe area last summer.

His legs were found at the Manor Steps zig zag, off Boscombe Overcliff Drive, on August 26, his arms were found at the defendants' flat on September 2, and his headless torso was found in Boscombe Chine Gardens on September 6.

At a court hearing on February 16 of this year, Atkins admitted to burning Mr Shotton’s head and disposing of the fragments in Walpole Lane in Boscombe.

A search was carried out of Walpole Lane on February 28, and skull fragments were discovered.

Debbie Pereira and Benjamin Atkins were arrested at their flat in Aylesbury Road, Boscombe, on September 1, 2023.

Atkins has admitted to charges of perverting the course of justice, and preventing the burial of a corpse, but denies murder.

Pereira has admitted to a charge of preventing the burial of a corpse but denies murder and perverting the course of justice.

The trial opened at Winchester Crown Court on April 11.