Youth stole 'murder scooter'

Two youths have admitted stealing a motor scooter later used as a getaway vehicle by the killers of Nottingham jeweller Marian Bates.

Mrs Bates, 64, was shot in the chest as she tried to protect her daughter Xanthe, 33, at the family's Time Centre store in Arnold, Nottingham on 30 September.

Her husband, Victor, also 64, was beaten about the head in the struggle before the two robbers escaped on the scooter.

The scooter was abandoned behind a row of shops less than an mile away as the robbers escaped.

Sold for £50

Billy-Joe Hammond, 19, of Broxtowe, Nottingham, admitted stealing the scooter on 2 September and riding it without a licence or insurance.

A 15-year-old juvenile from Broxtowe, who cannot be named, also admitted the theft of the scooter.

Solicitor Richard Bullock said: "The scooter was later involved in a very serious offence.

"I must stress there has been no indication from the police that my client has been involved at all with the serious offence."

Two other men Wayne Smith, 25, of Longford Crescent, Bulwell and Paul Anthony, 19, also of Bulwell, both admitted handling the scooter between 2 and 13 September.

Nottingham Magistrates Court heard that the scooter had been stolen by Hammond and the juvenile on 2 September.

Hammond also told police he had sold the scooter to Smith for £50, who in turn admitted he sold the machine to Anthony for £200.

Miss Fitch revealed the scooter was then sold by Anthony to "a third party", who was not named.

Hammond, Anthony and Smith, who all have previous convictions for dishonesty, were bailed until Friday when they will be sentenced by magistrates.