Teenager killed and set on fire

Debra Carne was 17 years old when she died

A girl of 17 from Essex was murdered, doused in petrol and set alight after a row about a boyfriend, Chelmsford Crown Court was told on Wednesday.

Debra Carne's body was left burning in a lay-by late at night near her home in Sible Hedingham on 28 July 2002.

Steven Wood, 23, of Halstead, Essex, Kerry Bauer, 21, of Braintree, Essex and Nicole Hollinshead, 19, also of Halstead, all deny murder.

They also deny conspiring to inflict grievous bodily harm.

Debra Carne's body was left burning in a layby

Mr Hollinshead also denies impeding the arrest of others.

The jury of seven women and five men was told Emma Last, now 18, also of Braintree, had admitted murder.

Tests showed Miss Carne had been asphyxiated - possibly as a result of a headlock - before being set alight in an isolated lay-by in Essex.

The case continues.