Murder accused spotted 'in tired and dirty' state

A SHROPSHIRE MAN accused of killing three men more than 16 years ago was spotted looking "tired and dirty" by the brother of one of the victims just hours before his body was found, a court heard today.

Alfred Bradley told how he stopped to ask Robin Ligus what he had been up to as the defendant walked past his home in Monk-moor, Shrewsbury.

Ligus, formerly of Shrewsbury, is accused of murdering Trevor Bradley, Brian Coles and Bernard Czyzewska, who all died in 1994.

Trevor Bradley's body was found on April 26, 1994 in a burned-out car near Melverley hours after he had last been seen by his brother.

Alfred Bradley told Birmingham Crown Court how the day before his brother's body was found he drove past Ligus who was walking near his home at Middletown Square.

He said: "I drove past him that morning. He was looking black and dirty and I have never seen him like that before. His hair, his face, I don't know what it was but I stopped and wound down my window and said what the hell have you been doing?

"He looked tired and like he'd been walking for a very long time."

Alfred Bradley, who is the brother-in-law of Ligus, said he had known the man accused of murdering his brother since he was 21 years old. He said he only became suspicious about Ligus's involvement in his brother's death in late 1994, previously believing him to have a good alibi.

But he went to police after he put "lots of little incidents together".

The jury has also heard evidence from Roger Ide, forensic scientist for the Home Office. Mr Ide said he believed Trevor Bradley's body had been placed in the car by another person because of his position, lying behind the front seats in the footwell.

Sally-Anne Link, a niece of Trevor Bradley, told the court her uncle was agitated up until the day of his death and was worried about someone prowling around his bungalow at night.

The trial continues.

By Sam Pinnington