Murder Trial: Prosecution tells jury it was murder

“This is, quite simply, a case of murder” – that’s what the jury in the trial of a Castletown man accused of murder has been told.

Today both the prosecution and defence counsels closed their cases meaning all evidence in the trial of 46-year-old Ian Anderson has now been heard.

He’s accused of murdering Ballabeg man Neil Roberts in 2013 – the 60-year-old’s body was found at his home on Queen Street in the early hours of December 1^st.

Describing how the gardener had suffered a “catastrophic catalogue” of injuries – the prosecutor said there was “no doubt” the defendant had murdered him.

Highlighting the fact Anderson’s wife was having an affair with Mr Roberts she added “you may conclude it was a far from ideal situation but it didn’t need to end as it did.”

The jury was invited to reach “common sense conclusions” concerning the fact Anderson claims he can’t remember parts of the attack or the telephone calls made between his family in the aftermath.

“Isn’t it all very convenient that he’s forgotten what happened,” the prosecutor said. “Is it can’t or is it a question of won’t?” she added.

Discussing the evidence Anderson gave she told jurors “he wouldn’t admit responsibility for his death – you may conclude that’s because he knows he deliberately killed him”.

Closing the case she told the court “in a confined space he carried out a precise attack – he went on and on and on until Neil Roberts was dead. Members of the jury he is guilty of murder”.

Ian Anderson denies murder – the trial continues.