Jury out in body parts case

Richard Markham claims he acted in self-defence

The jury in the trial of a man accused of murdering his best friend and dismembering his body, has been sent out to consider its verdict.

Richard Markham, 28, of St Nicholas Court, South Ham, Basingstoke, Hampshire, denies the murder of 25-year-old Tristian Lovelock.

The judge, Mr Justice Michael Morland, sent the jury of seven women and five men out at 1225 BST on Wednesday.

The two-and-a-half week trial, at Winchester Crown Court, has heard how Mr Markham killed Mr Lovelock by hitting him over the head with a hammer about 15 times.

Mr Markham denies murder on the grounds that he was provoked.

He believed that Mr Lovelock, who had a history of violence, was going to attack him, he said.