Occultist 'bludgeoned to death'

The victim was a fan of the occult

A witchcraft enthusiast was stabbed and bludgeoned to death by three men, a court has heard.

Brothers Nicholas Grundy, 22, and Daniel Delker, 23, are alleged to have teamed up with 24-year-old David Sandham to kill James Bowman.

A jury at Leeds Crown Court was told how the victim had been in a relationship with the mother of two of the men and they decided to "warn off" Mr Bowman.

His body was found close to a campfire on the moors above Cornholme, near Todmorden, West Yorkshire, on 15 September last year.

He had been repeatedly stabbed and beaten with around 20 blows, probably from a rock or stone.

Psychic fair

Mr Bowman was described in court as a "drifter" and a "womaniser", and had been asked to leave Melanie Payne's home in Ernest Street, Cornholme.

Mr Delker and Mr Sandham then travelled from their homes in Lancashire and met up with Mr Grundy to carry out the murder, the jury was told.

Opening the prosecution case, David Hatton QC said: "The warning off of James Bowman could not be more effective as in the event it consisted of killing him."

Mr Bowman moved in with his girlfriend after they met at a psychic fair.

He said: "He had a very keen interest in witchcraft. It was through that connection he met Mrs Payne who had a similar interest."

Mr Grundy of Todmorden, Mr Sandham, of The Croft, Cleveleys, near Blackpool, and Mr Delker, of Shackleton Road, Freckleton, Kirkham, near Preston, all deny murder.

The case continues.