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Becky Murder Trial: Accused Was 'Controlling'

Becky Murder Trial: Accused Was 'Controlling'

The man accused of murdering teenager Becky Watts was "controlling" and "sexually orientated," according to his girlfriend's mother.

Giving evidence at Bristol Crown Court, Shauna Hoare's mother, Lisa Donovan, described Nathan Matthews as "very flirty, very sexually orientated; overpowering".

Matthews, 28, and Hoare, 22, are accused of murdering and dismembering Matthew's stepsister, Becky.

The 16-year-old went missing on 19 February 2015 and her body parts were later discovered hidden in a shed in Barton Hill, Bristol.

Ms Donovan said that when the couple contacted her on 23 February she had not seen her daughter or Matthews for between two and four years.

She said she was surprised they got in touch, saying "I asked them if they were in trouble", believing they may be in debt. The couple said they weren't.

Ms Donovan said she later discovered that Hoare knew Becky and jokingly said: "I know why you're at my house all the time, it's cos you're running away from the police, because you kidnapped her."

She said her daughter denied kidnapping Becky and questioned how her mother was aware she knew the girl.

Hoare's stepfather, Kevin Stone, told the court he was surprised when his stepdaughter got in touch.

"We got a phone call and Shauna said she wanted to come and see us," he said.

"I think she wanted to get back in touch with her mother. I was shocked.

"She told me not to tell her mum she was coming and she wanted it to be a surprise for her."

Adam Vaitilingam QC, defending Matthews, questioned why Ms Donovan's criticism of his client had not originally been given to the police.

"Are you trying to make things worse for him and a little bit better for Shauna?" he said, to which Ms Donovan replied: "No."

Hoare has denied charges of murder, conspiracy to kidnap, perverting the course of justice, preventing the lawful burial of a corpse and possessing a prohibited weapon.

Matthews has admitted killing Becky but denies murder and conspiracy to kidnap.

The trial continues.