A FARMER’S son battered his 15-year-old lover to loss of life over a £2,000 blackmail plot to show their sexual relationship, a courtroom heard right now.
Matthew Mason allegedly took Alex Rodda to woodland in a sleepy Cheshire village on the “pretence of sexual exercise”.
Matthew Mason is charged with homicide
Alex Rodda was discovered lifeless in woodland final DecemberCredit score: Equipped
Whereas there, the 19-year-old murdered him in “chilly blood” utilizing an extended wrench to repeatedly batter him, it was mentioned.
Alex was later discovered partially clothed by refuse collectors on December 13 final yr after he was reported lacking.
Chester Crown Court docket heard right now how the pair had “loved an intimate sexual relationship” however Alex was “threatening” to submit specific pictures and movies Mason had allegedly despatched him.
By November 23, Mason had paid £2,020 to Alex, jurors had been advised.
Opening the case, prosecutor Ian Unsworth QC mentioned: “For causes, it’s possible you’ll conclude, borne out of that relationship, the defendant took Alex to a distant wooded space close to Ashley, not removed from Bowdon in Cheshire.
“There, the defendant used a heavy and lengthy wrench to beat Alex to the pinnacle and physique again and again.
‘DIDN’T STAND A CHANCE’
“The assault was brutal and cruel. The general sample of the accidents was indicative of a violent repetitive assault with that wrench estimated to have concerned the touchdown of no less than 15 separate heavy blows.
“Alex didn’t stand an opportunity. His life resulted in these woods.
“His partially clothed deserted younger physique was found by a crew of refuse collectors the following morning.
“The case for the prosecution is that Matthew Mason took Alexander Rodda to the woods on the pretence of sexual exercise after which murdered him in chilly blood.”
Jurors heard how Alex was brazenly homosexual and attended Holmes Chapel faculty.
He had identified Mason “for some months” main as much as his loss of life, it was mentioned.
‘BLACKMAIL PLOT’
Mason in the meantime had a girlfriend of round two years who had been messaged by Alex on November 3.
The textual content mentioned: “I believed I ought to let you recognize that the previous 2-3 weeks matt has been making an attempt to message me he got here to my home in his automobile to satisfy me final week however I advised him my dad wouldn’t let me out so I didn’t meet him.
“I’ve advised him it has to cease however simply thought I’d let you recognize earlier than he does a d***head transfer and I didn’t know he was relationship you till I went to go observe him on lnstagram.”
Alex additionally mentioned Mason was “flirty” and claimed he despatched him an image of his privates and an specific video, jurors had been advised.
The courtroom heard how Mason denied sending the gadgets however started making funds to Alex’s checking account on the similar time.
Alex had advised a pal Mason was paying him for intercourse and mentioned he would report him to police if he stopped, it was mentioned.
Mr Unsworth mentioned: “The messages which have been recovered present that, over time, the defendant was complaining that the funds had been cleansing him out.”
Mason, of Knutsford, denies homicide.
The trial continues.
Mason had allegedly been having fun with a relationship with Alex
Alex was battered to loss of life with a wrenchCredit score: Cheshire Police
He was partially stripped when he was discoveredCredit score: Instagram
