Attackers 'took fire victim's girlfriend'

A Shropshire man who died of burns after being set on fire at his home told a friend his attackers had taken his girlfriend, a court has heard.

George Black was set on fire after a mixture of petrol and kerosene was thrown over him at his home at The Square, Bucknell, near Craven Arms, the jury at Worcester Crown Court was told earlier.

The 41-year-old pawnbroker died almost two days later in hospital as a result of his injuries after the attack on December 8 last year.

Robert Field, 22, of Etnam Street, Leom- inster, and Gareth Powell, 29, of The Grove, Shobdon, Leominster, both deny murder.

Christian Baker, a friend and neighbour of Mr Black, was first on the scene after the incident, the court was told. He said he found Mr Black badly burned and "in a rage".

Yesterday Mr Baker said: "He (Black) was angry at the fact that he had been attacked. He told me that he had had petrol thrown on him and that they had got 'Rudy' (Sylvia Marie Smith)."

Paramedic Martin Davis said Mr Black told him his attackers had taken his wife as he was being given medical attention.

Mr Davis said: "I was talking to the casualty. He mumbled something that we could not understand I removed the (oxygen) ma- sk and he said 'they have taken my wife'."

Mr Black's partner Sylvia Marie Smith, who suffered burns during the incident, had been having an affair with Field and believed she was carrying his child, the court has heard.

Smith, 22, of Cherrybrook Close, Hope-under-Dinmore, Leominster, denies conspiracy to murder and attempting to pervert the course of justice.

Constable Nicholas Williams, who attended the incident, said previously Mr Black named Robert Field and Gareth Powell as his attackers. Smith's mother Sylvia Jane Smith, 42, and her stepfather Steven Smith, 45, also of Cherrybrook Close, both deny attempting to pervert the course of justice.

The trial continues.

By Sophie Bignall