Car black box put crossbow killer ‘at scene of murder’ court hears

A car black box put the alleged crossbow killer ‘at scene of murder of retired lecturer’, a court heard.

Gerald Corrigan, 74, a pensioner from Holyhead, Anglesea, was shot by a crossbow at around midnight in April last year, dying in hospital three weeks later.

Sports therapist, Terence Whall, 39, appeared at Mold Crown Court today and denied the murder.

The court heard that the Land Rover, which belonged to his partner, Emma Roberts, was found burnt out after Mr Whall was questioned by police.

The car’s black box, which contained information from the night in question, survived the alleged arson, and placed the vehicle near Mr Corrigan’s house on the night of his death.

Mr Whall denied being at the house of Mr Corrigan at the time, instead claiming that he was having an affair with his friend, known as Baz, in a nearby field.

The jury heard that Mr Corrigan, known as Gerry, had left his home to adjust the satellite dish in his front garden after the signal was interrupted.

Peter Rouch QC, prosecuting, said: “When he left his home to look at the Sky dish, there was someone waiting outside, in the dark, armed with a high-powered crossbow.

"A crossbow, members of the jury, is a silent, quick and deadly weapon.

"The person waiting, probably hiding behind a wall, fired a crossbow bolt at Gerald Corrigan."

Mr Rouch said the 74-year-old thought he had been electrocuted by the satellite dish, shouting for his partner Marie Bailey, 64, who was in bed.

The court heard that when the paramedic arrived, he found the garden gate open, and a blood-covered crossbow bolt lying on the grass.

Mr Corrigan died on May 11 as a result of multiple organ failure.

The Land Rover Discovery which belonged to Mr Whall’s partner, Emma, was found burned out on June 3, two weeks after Mr Whall was questioned by police about possession of crossbows, the court was told.

The information retained by Jaguar Landrover showed that the car had travelled to the driveway of Mr Corrigan’s home the night before the alleged murder.

It was also driven to nearby Porthdafach beach on the night of Mr Corrigan’s death, remaining there for an hour and a half until 12 minutes after my Corrigan was shot.

Mr Rouch QC, alleged that the trip the night before was a “reconnaissance” before the killing, and that Mr Whall had walked from the beach to Mr Corrigan’s home the following night, telling the court:

"He interrupted the satellite signal, maybe by just interfering with the Sky dish, and, hiding behind the wall, waited for Mr Corrigan to exit his house.

"When he did so, he callously shot him."

The recording system which survived the car, which Mr Whall claimed was later stolen, showed the boot was opened and closed when the car arrived and before it left.

The court heard that Mr Whall had told officers that he had opened the car boot to remove a bag containing latex gloves, handcuffs and baby oil after travelling to the beach car park with his friend Baz.

Mr Whall’s co-defendants, Darren Jones, 41, Martin Roberts, 34, and Gavin Jones, 36, all deby conspiracy to pervert the course of justice and conspiracy to commit arson in relation to the Land Rover.

The trial, which is expected to last several weeks, continues on Thursday.