Youth 'threw away victim's phone'

Robert Gill's body was discovered by a team of police divers

A youth threw a dead student's mobile phone into a river after being quizzed by police, a court has heard.

The body of Robert Gill, 17, was found in the Great River Ouse near Bedford.

Tom Allen, 18, told Luton Crown Court the mobile phone was given to him by one of the three teenagers who are accused of murdering Robert.

Sean Downes, 18, of Acacia Road, Bedford, Thomas Luddington, 18, of Dunham Close, Bedford, and a boy, aged 16, who cannot be named, deny murder.

Robert was reported missing after he went on a night out in Bedford on Boxing Day, last year.

His body was discovered by police divers on 4 January this year, Luton Crown Court heard.

The prosecution claim the three defendants attacked Robert in the early hours of 27 December last year after he a left the New York New York nightclub in Bedford.

'Bad boys'

Mr Luddington has pleaded guilty to the manslaughter of Robert as well as robbing him and falsely imprisoning him.

Mr Downes and the 16-year-old deny both charges.

Giving evidence, Mr Allen said the phone was given to him by the 16-year-old defendant, who was arrested and charged with the murder just days later.

He told jurors he ditched the phone after police came to his home to question him about what he knew about Robert's death.

He confirmed he was charged with perverting the course justice, as a result of his actions, and is now awaiting sentence.

Mr Allen told jurors he had been good friends with the 16-year-old.

He said he had gone into Bedford town centre with the teenager on Boxing Day and later that evening he met Mr Downes and Mr Ludington who he described as "bad boys".

The trial continues.