Murder suspect was on the run from police, Ipswich court hears

A man accused of murdering a woman in a “vicious and brutal attack” had been living off-grid while “on the run” from police for two years, a court has heard.

Roy Barclay, 56, of no fixed address, has been charged with murdering Anita Rose, 57, after she was found seriously injured in Brantham, Suffolk, on 24 July. She died at Addenbrooke’s Hospital in Cambridge four days later.

Opening for the prosecution at Ipswich Crown Court earlier, Christopher Paxton KC said Mr Barclay kicked, stamped on and struck Ms Rose as she lay on the ground, and he kept her belongings as trophies.

Mr Barclay has denied murder.

Mr Paxton said Ms Rose left her home in Brantham in the early morning of 24 July to take her dog, Bruce, on a walk “as she often did”.

Ms Rose’s partner, Richard Jones, who was a lorry driver and was away with work, said he called her as she was walking at 05:24 BST.

The court heard their call finished at 05:29 – less than hour before Ms Rose was attacked.

Mr Paxton told the jury that Ms Rose was subjected to “numerous kicks, stamps and blows being delivered to her face, head and body”, which left her with injuries akin “to that seen following road traffic accidents”.

Mr Barclay’s walking boots were the suspected murder weapon, the jury heard.

The prosecution stated that the pattern on the sole of the defendant’s boots were compared with the marks left on Ms Rose’s face.

The jury was told that Mr Barclay lived mostly off-grid and in the countryside because for “two years he’d been unlawfully at large”.

Mr Paxton added the defendant was trying to avoid “the police and authorities, trying to avoid being recalled back to prison”.

The prosecution described him as “cunning and resourceful” and said he carried dog biscuits with him.

Mr Barclay had kept items belonging to Ms Rose “as trophies”, including a pink jacket, the court was told.

After Ms Rose was left seriously injured, Mr Barclay had searched on the internet “How long does DNA last at a crime scene?”.

The trial continues.