FOUR men have been accused of the 'callous, cold-blooded execution' of Northaw traveller John Finney. William Harbage QC opened the prosecution's case at St Albans Crown Court this morning (Monday). He told the jury: 'This is a case about a particularly gri

FOUR men have been accused of the "callous, cold-blooded execution" of Northaw traveller John Finney.

William Harbage QC opened the prosecution's case at St Albans Crown Court this morning (Monday).

He told the jury: "This is a case about a particularly grisly murder.

"On March 14 last year a naked, headless and handless body was found near Hitchin. It was the body of a man called John Finney.

"This was the callous cold-blooded execution of a man against whom they bore a grudge."

The court heard how Mr Finney, 42, was abducted from his Mitsubishi Pajero near his home at Park Farm, in Northaw Road West, at about 7pm on February 29.

He was driven away in a blue van.

Mr Harbage said: "The driver's window of Mr Finney's Pajero had been smashed.

"The keys were still in the ignition and Finney's mobile phone was still on the front psssenger seat."

The court was also told it is believed, through analysing the contents of his stomach, Mr Finney was murdered on the day he was abducted.

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 deny the charges.

The trial, which is expected to last for six weeks, continues.