Headless traveller 'Was Threatened'

BEHEADED Northaw traveller John Finney was threatened by a man with a London accent before his kidnap and murder, a court heard yesterday (Thursday). William Spencer, a distant cousin and drinking partner

BEHEADED Northaw traveller John Finney was threatened by a man with a London accent before his kidnap and murder, a court heard yesterday (Thursday).

William Spencer, a distant cousin and drinking partner of the victim, told the court the father-of-four had received some threatening phone calls prior to his abduction.

Prosecutor William Harbage QC asked Mr Spencer about these calls, to which he replied: "I asked if it was another gypsy (threatening him) and he said it was a London accent, a non-gypsy."

Mr Spencer also revealed that Mr Finney, 42, had been "very scared" by the threats.

The naked, headless and handless body of Mr Finney was found slumped against a garage block in Ickleford, near Hitchin, on March 14 last year.

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

They all deny murder.

The trial, at St Albans Crown Court, continues.