Accused youth 'had drink problem'

Lee Brown denies murdering Joan Biggs

A Northampton teenager who denies murdering his elderly rape victim had no mental abnormality whatsoever, a court heard.

Lee Brown, 19, has admitted killing 79-year-old grandmother Joan Biggs on the grounds of diminished responsibility but denies murder.

Mrs Biggs, a widow, was found dead in her bungalow in Carlton Gardens, Kingsley, Northampton, on 27 January last year.

Northampton Crown Court has been told that after raping her, Brown had killed her and left her body to burn on a cooker hob.

On Thursday police doctor Peter Gordon told the court Brown had an alcohol problem, drinking up to 12 cans of lager a day, but said he had no mental problems.

Mr Gordon was called to assess the defendant on the day of his arrest and deemed him fit to be detained and interviewed.

The Home Office pathologist who carried out the post-mortem examination told the court Mrs Biggs had sustained several injuries from sharp objects and blows to the head and her torso had been destroyed by fire.

The trial continues.