Yahoo News Nanny killer accused cremated body on bonfire while barbecuing chicken in Wimbledon back garden, court hears
One of the alleged killers of French nanny Sophie Lionnet was barbecuing chicken while attempting to dispose of her body on a backyard bonfire, the Old Bailey heard today.
Ouissem Medouni, 40, was caught red-handed burning the 21-year-old au pair's remains in the garden of the Wimbledon home he shared with 35-year-old Sabrina Kouider, the court was told.
Jurors heard today that firefighters made the grisly discovery of Ms Lionnet's remains on September 20 last year, after a concerned neighbour called 999 to report a bonfire with an "unusual smell" which had been raging for more than three hours.
Ouissem, who was present, initially tried to pass off the body as a sheep he had bought at the market, the court heard.
"There was a bonfire and a separate barbecue on which there was some chicken", said prosecutor Richard Horwell QC.
"The firemen were concerned about the proximity of the bonfire to the property and said that they would extinguish the fire themselves. Medouni said that he would put it out, but the firemen insisted that it was their responsibility to do so.
"The fire was put out and then the burnt debris was turned over with a spade to ensure that the fire had been fully extinguished: as the ash was turned, the remains of Sophie started to appear.
"Medouni was asked what it was and he replied: 'It is a sheep', which he said he had bought from Wimbledon Market".
It is said Kouider had carried out the murder with Medouni in the midst of an obsession over her former partner, Boyzone founder Mark Walton.
She had made a string of "outlandish" claims about him, the court heard, claiming he had dabbled in black magic and she believed Ms Lionnet was "in league" with her former beau.
The court has heard that she and Medouni subjected the nanny to hours of terrifying interrogation in a bid to force a confession out of her, while holding her prisoner and starving her at the Wimbledon home.
Jurors today were played recordings of Ms Lionnet being questioned by the couple, including "harrowing" films shot just hours before she was killed.
Ms Lionnet can be heard repeatedly being told to "tell the truth", as she is threatened with rape, arrest, and imprisonment.
"Sophie by now was completely compliant, her will and spirit finally crushed following her arduous examination at the hands of both defendants", said Mr Horwell.
"It shows on her face and in her demeanour and voice. She makes a truly dreadful sight."
The prosecutor said Medouni and Kouider may have killed her to stop her taking back the confession, or because they "wanted her dead as punishment and revenge".
The court has also heard claims that Medouni and Kouider forced Ms Lionnet under the water in the bath during efforts to force a confession.
Both defendants will claim the other was responsible for killing Ms Lionnet, saying they were asleep at the time it happened.
Medouni and Kouider, both from Southfields, Wimbledon, deny murder. The trial continues.
