Headless traveller murder: jury hears of abduction

A COURT has today (Tuesday) heard how murdered Northaw traveller John Finney was abducted. William Harbage QC, prosecuting, told jurors at St Albans Crown Court the father-of-four was seized from his Mitsubishi Pajero by up to three men near his caravan a

A COURT has today (Tuesday) heard how murdered Northaw traveller John Finney was abducted.

William Harbage QC, prosecuting, told jurors at St Albans Crown Court the father-of-four was seized from his Mitsubishi Pajero by up to three men near his caravan at Park Farm on February 29 last year.

He said the kidnapping took place on a "relatively narrow" incline, a "very dark place with cover either side".

"The attackers would have had the considerable advantage of having taken Finney by complete surprise," he said.

"It [the abduction] would not have taken long."

Mr Harbage said the victim was bundled into a blue Ford Transit van and then driven to an industrial unit in Hitchin where he was murdered and dismembered.

He added Mr Finney's Pajero was found at 12.20am the following morning by his girlfriend Mandy Vineall and her sister.

"They could see that the windscreen wipers were going and there was a bale of hay on the bonnet as if Finney had gone to feed the [Mandy Vineall's] horse," he said.

The four defendants in the dock are Mark Curran, 35, of Audley Close, Muswell Hill; Norman Jones, 50, of Princess Park Manor, New Barnet; his son Joseph Jones, 24, of Harlech Road, New Barnet; and Gary Mark Lattimore, 40, of Little Heath Road, Bexleyheath.

They all deny murder.

The case continues.