Mother of Sedgley murder victim Shane Watson tells of phone horror
The mother of murder victim Shane Watson told a court of the horrendous moment her son's alleged killers answered his mobile phone and told her: "He's dead".
Jane Watson was awoken by his girlfriend Kelly Handley in a "hysterical state" in the early hours, Wolverhampton Crown Court heard.
Jurors heard that the couple had become separated during a night in Sedgley and Miss Handley found his mother's house after trying to get hold of him.
The court was told that when she called his phone it was answered by a male voice claiming her partner was in Beacon alleyway and had been "dealt with". Giving evidence, Mrs Watson was asked by prosecutor Mr Peter Grieves-Smith whether she had also tried to contact him. She replied: "I asked Kelly to phone Shane because I had no credit."
Mrs Watson then took hold of the phone, the court heard. When asked what the person who answered said, she told jurors: "He said, 'Your man is dead and is at the bottom of the alley'. I said, 'Don't laugh, I am his mother'."
The jury was told that she and Miss Handley then went to the alleyway, in Springfield Grove, where they discovered the battered body of debt collector Mr Watson. The court heard his clothes had been removed and he had been urinated on.
Shylon Wishart, who is on trial for the murder, then allegedly attended a house party in a "hyper" mood where revellers were told about the attack. James Cartwright, aged 18, of Sandyfields Road, has admitted murder. Wishart, 19, of North Springfield, denies murder.
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