'Murder victim' had no sign of head injuries, court told

A Shropshire man allegedly killed by triple murder suspect Robin Ligus showed no signs he had suffered head injuries, a court heard.

Bernard Czyzewska, of Shrewsbury, was last seen alive leaving the Elephant and Castle pub, in Mardol, on November 19, 1994.

His body was recovered from the River Severn, near Porthill Bridge, on November 30 after being spotted by a fisherman.

An inquest later recorded a misadventure verdict after hearing he probably fell in the river and drowned after drinking.

However, a cold case review into his death was opened following jail cell "confessions" made by Ligus who said he killed Mr Czyzewska due to a "bad feeling" between them.

Ligus is standing trial at Birmingham Crown Court for the murders of Mr Czyzewska, Brian Coles and Trevor Bradley, who all died in 1994.

The defendant is currently serving a life sentence for the murder of pensioner Robert Young, but has been ruled unfit to plead to the latest charges.

The jury yesterday listened to a string of "confessions" made by Ligus in the late 1990s to a prison mate who was recording the conversation on audio tape.

Ligus was heard saying he followed Mr Czyzewska onto a bridge and hit the former doorman's head against railings, knocking him "half unconscious" before throwing his body into the river.

However, pathologist Terence Jones, who carried out Mr Czyzewska's post mortem, said he found no head injuries. Speaking in court, he said: "There was no sign of assault, if there had of been I would have stopped straight away. It is very unlikely he suffered an injury to his head."

Mr Jones did however concede it was possible Mr Czyzewska could have been knocked unconscious and not shown injuries.

The court heard that Mr Czyzewska was a powerful man who liked weight-lifting. His former partner Jacqueline James also gave evidence.

She said he had been suffering with dizzy spells, heart palpitations and nearly blacked out in the days leading to his death.

She added that the first thing she noticed when identifying his body was a bruise on the right side of his head.

The trial continues.

By Sam Pinnington