Bournemouth murder trial: Parts of victim's head still missing

"The majority of the cranium” of Simon Shotton has never been discovered by police, a court heard.

Debbie Pereira and Benjamin Atkins are facing trial at Winchester Court accused of Mr Shotton’s murder.

Atkins, 49, has already admitted burning Mr Shotton’s head and disposing of the remains in Walpole Lane in Boscombe.

A search team was deployed to the scene after his admission, and a number of fragments were discovered.

Forensics in Walpole Lane (Image: NQ)

On Wednesday, and day nine of the trial, prosecutor Paul Cavin KC referred to a forensic scientist’s analysis of the findings.

• Read more: Bournemouth 'body parts' murder trial: Day nine

It was the scientist's opinion that 69 fragments were identified as human bone, and out of these, 15 were consistent with human bone, six were non-human, and 48 could not be identified as a species.

Mr Cavin KC referred to the report: “All the human bones that could be identified were from the cranium.

“The majority of the human bone fragments and the bone fragments he thought were likely of human origin showed signs of heat exposure.

"The majority of the cranium, including the most robust part, which would normally survive fire exposure, were not present."

Forensics in Walpole Lane (Image: NQ)

Also on Wednesday, the jury heard from major crime analysts Rosemary Latham.

She confirmed data which showed a 17 second call had been made from Mr Shotton’s handset to the defendants’ shared handset at 6.57am on August 18.

A text was then sent from Mr Shotton’s handset to the defendants’ shared handset at 6.59am which said, ‘Ben, I'm telling you now, you best have my money when you get home or w.'

Ms Latham confirmed the defendants’ phone did not receive the text until 9.34am that day, and gave possible explanations of there being no signal, or the phone being dead or switched off.

The jury then heard about Atkins and Pereira’s previous convictions.

Atkins and Pereira (Image: Social Media)

For Pereira, these included offences of shoplifting, handling stolen goods, false representation, burglary and court order breaches between April 2014 and May 2016.

Atkins’ previous convictions spanned from June 1990 to October 2021 and included firearm possession, common assault, possession of heroin and cannabis, burglary, theft and driving offences.

Atkins was convicted of his earliest offences of attempted robbery and carrying a firearm with intent at aged 15.

As reported, prosecution allege Atkins and Pereira murdered Mr Shotton at their flat in Aylesbury Road on the morning of August 18, 2023, before dismembering him and dumping his remains around Boscombe.

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

Pereira denies perverting the course of justice, preventing the burial of a corpse and murder.

The trial continues.