Murdered prostitute's 'short, wretched life'

Carly's body was found in an alleyway

A teenage prostitute's "short, wretched life" ended when she was murdered by a client and dumped in undergrowth in Bolton, a court heard on Tuesday.

Carly Bateman turned to prostitution and drugs after running away from home when she was 14, a Manchester Crown Court jury was told.

Three years later her naked body was discovered in an alleyway off Crawford Avenue, Bolton, Greater Manchester.

Geoffrey Porter, 40, of Heaton, Bolton, denies murdering 17-year-old Carly on November 11 last year.

Her short, wretched life ended tragically in the early hours of November 11

Roderick Carus QC, prosecuting

Roderick Carus QC, opening the case for the prosecution, told the jury Carly was living at a hostel for homeless women in Bolton at the time of her death.

Mr Carus said Carly was last seen heading towards River Street, which he described as "a notorious haunt for prostitutes".

Her body was found by two men at 0330 GMT.

At first thought they were looking at a mannequin.

Accused stopped

A post-mortem examination revealed Carly had been strangled, said Mr Carus.

He added: "Her short, wretched life ended tragically in the early hours of November 11."

Less than an hour after Carly's body was found, Mr Porter was stopped by police in the area, the court heard.

He was suspected of drink driving, but later released without charge when tests proved he was below the legal limit.

DNA evidence

Officers noticed a pair of white trainers on the back seat of his car, along with a number of condoms.

After he was released from Bolton central police station, the prosecution allege Mr Porter drove to a skip and dumped Carly's clothing.

Mr Carus added DNA samples from Mr Porter matched semen found on Carly.

The trial continues.