Murder plot was 'simply a fantasy'
A plot hatched on the internet to murder a man's parents was all "unpleasant nonsense", a court was told.
Shaun Skarnes, 19, and Christopher Monks, 24, deny conspiring to kill Monks' parents Christopher and Elizabeth at their home in Preston Road, Clayton-le-Woods.
Skarnes, of Ellesmere Port, and Monks met on the internet and had discussions online about murdering the couple.
Defending Skarnes, Andrew O'Byrne QC told Preston Crown Court that their exchanges were "unpleasant", "strange" and "weird", but were never intended to be acted out when Skarnes visited Monks in February.
He said: "Shaun Skarnes is sad and pathetic but basically a decent young man who has done nothing wrong but to indulge fantasies on the internet.
"He does not have any great life to speak of. Every day he is in Ellesmere Port but for most of his time in cyberspace, where he becomes something and can talk to his friends.
"They are free to give rein to outrageous ideas.
"We have got these two young men contemplating murder, the Crown says.
"There was no plan – the whole thing was nonsense. Unpleasant nonsense, I accept, but nonsense nonetheless."
Prosecuting, Dennis Watson QC told the jury both defendants had told lies in early interviews with the police.
Mr Watson added the Crown rejected the argument the accused were merely involved in a fantasy game.
He said: "If it was all fantasy, (Monks) could have done this with someone on the other side of the world.
"He didn't need someone who could visit and do this with him at home."
(Proceeding)
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Weather for Preston
Thursday 29 July 2010
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