THE man accused of bludgeoning a vulnerable mother to death with a hammer and dumping her body in a wheelie bin has named her ex-boyfriend as the killer.
Richard Canlin, 42, told police that Nicola Stevenson was murdered by a man called John Parish.
Canlin responded to police after Ms Stevenson’s body was found dumped in a wheelie bin off the Landport estate in Lewes.
The police asked him if he knew anyone else involved and Canlin said: “Yeah, John Parish.
“He threatened to kill her and she’s dead. He hit her round the head.”
Richard Canlin in accused of murder
Canlin said the last time he saw Ms Stevenson they had had an argument and she had left on her mobility scooter to calm down.
He denies killing the mother of two in a frenzied attack with a claw hammer at her flat in Stansfield Road, Lewes, in October or November last year.
Read more coverage of this trial:
- Jury sworn in for 'wheelie bin murder' trial
- Richard Canlin accused of 'brutal, frenzied' claw hammer attack
Canlin had been living with Ms Stevenson, who was vulnerable because of being diagnosed with Russell-Silver syndrome, a form of dwarfism, from birth.
He told detectives he needed protection before he would tell them what happened to her.
He claimed they were brother and sister and Ms Stevenson changed her name because she was scared of John Parish.
Canlin, 42, told police his spine was shattered and he needed a walking frame to get around.
Nicola Stevenson lived in Stansfield Road, Lewes
In police interviews, Canlin denied killing Ms Stevenson.
Though he said she was his sister, the trial at Hove heard police could not find any family connection between them.
Canlin said Ms Stevenson let him stay with her when he was homeless to get him off the streets and they used drugs together at the flat in Lewes.
Read more coverage of this case:
- Jury shown where Nicola Stevenson's body was dumped in wheelie bin
- Richard Canlin accused of buying himself snooker table with Nicola's money after she died
In the video taped police interview recorded at Eastbourne on November 15, Canlin was provided with an appropriate adult to help him understand police questions.
Judge Shani Barnes told the jury Canlin has special needs.
The body of Nicola Stevenson was found in this wheelie bin in Lewes
He told police he was effectively housebound and said: “I don’t have the strength to kill anyone.”
He told police they used heroin and crack cocaine and had tried to get Ms Stevenson off drugs.
Canlin also told police he had been at a funfair in Nottingham when Ms Stevenson disappeared.
The scene where Nicola lived in Stansfield Road
Previously, Caroline Carberry QC, prosecuting, told jurors that Canlin carried out a “brutal, frenzied” attack and said Canlin had lied to police about his whereabouts.
Canlin denies murder.
The trial continues.
You can keep informed of court reports on our Facebook group here: Sussex crime and court watch
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