However, the court was told forensic evidence showed the attack had in fact started on the second floor before a bleeding Mr Henham, later described by his family as 'gentle, kind and peaceful', had been dragged or pulled to the level below for the beating to continue.Īlthough experts were said to have later linked the defendants to the alleged murder through their DNA, fingerprints, bloodstained clothing and trainer marks, Mr Mulholland told the jury they had shown 'a significant degree of forensic awareness' in their efforts to cover their tracks.Īs well as stripping Mr Henham of his clothes, parts of his body appeared to have been cleaned and areas of his blood in the first-floor room had been diluted, the court was told.

Mr Henham's body was found by police on January 2 on the flat roof directly outside the room from where the screams had been heard. He was also seen just a few hours after the alleged murder with a bottle of disinfectant in one hand and a cloth in the other, saying he had to 'clean up the mess'. Hawley, the court heard, appeared to 'run' the squat and was in charge of deciding who visited and stayed. One of those living in the building later told police that as he and his partner looked on the first floor for a place to bed down for the night, he heard a male voice screaming in pain from inside one of the rooms.Ī man he later identified as Meikle then opened the door and bluntly told him to 'F*** off'.Įarlier that evening, Meikle had been filmed as he danced on a first-floor balcony at the front of the building, with Gordon-Carew, then aged 18, and Spence, who was just 16. The building in North Street in Brighton where Billy Henham was found dead (Image: Google) Other attempts were made by his alleged killers to 'cover their tracks', it is claimed.įorensic experts discovered disinfectant in Mr Henham's hair while bloodstained areas where he had been beaten appeared to have been 'diluted'. His body was then dropped over balcony railings from a height of just under 11ft and stripped. Mr Henham, who lived with his parents in Henfield, West Sussex, had also been struck with a broken wooden stair spindle.

All were consistent with being punched, kicked and stamped on. You can also enter your address in the box below the picture on most desktop and mobile platforms.Ī court heard he had suffered 11 rib fractures, extensive bruising to his scalp, face, and neck, cuts and a brain injury. It couldn't be simpler and it takes seconds - simply press here, enter your email address and follow the instructions. Signing up to the SussexLive newsletter means you'll get the latest news direct to your inbox twice a day. You can sign up to SussexLive and comment on our stories by pressing here and logging in.

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