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Jury told carer murdered ex-boxer Shaun Cummins and chopped his body into pieces

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A carer murdered ex-boxer Shaun Cummins, before chopping his body into 10 pieces and hiding them in two freezers, a jury heard. Thomas Dunkley, who denies the killing, then went on a spending spree "without a care in the world" using the alleged victim's money, it was claimed. He was said to have raided Mr Cummins' bank accounts and trust fund of more than £25,000. The dismembered and disembowelled remains were discovered by police at Mr Cummins' bungalow in Marriott Road, Saffron Lane, Leicester, on September 12. He was last seen alive by two community nurses on September 1. Leicester Crown Court was told that at about the time of the alleged murder, Dunkley (29) used Mr Cummins' laptop to carry out internet searches about death. Questions he sought answers for included: "How long does it take to bleed to death from a stab wound" and "What's the fastest way for a human to bleed to death?" Opening the prosecution case at Leicester Crown Court today, William Harbage QC told the jury: "It's a rather gruesome case and some aspects are unpleasant and shocking. "Mr Cummins was 45 when he died. "In his younger days he'd been a professional boxer of real talent at a national level and was known as The Governor." A motorbike accident in 2004 left him paralysed from the waist down and virtually bed-ridden. Shortly before his death £44,000 remained in his trust fund. Mr Harbage told the court: "He (Dunkley)admits dismembering the body but denies killing him. "The prosecution say, having killed Shaun Cummins he left the body where it was for a few days. "It started to decompose and smell. "Dunkley embarked on a plan to try and cover up what he'd done in a callous and deliberate way." Using the ex-boxer's money, he went out and bought a chainsaw, gloves, overalls, a mask and goggles. He also obtained a bin incinerator, which was used to burn evidence, it was claimed. Mr Harbage said: "He set about the grizzly task of dismembering the body. "The parts were wrapped in bin liners and sealed with duct tape and placed in a freezer, until he worked out how to get rid of it." There was not enough room in the freezer – so Dunkley went out to a Comet store to buy another. Mr Harbage asked the jury: "Who does that? "Who goes to those extremes, unless he's responsible for the killing." He said because the body had partly decomposed prior to freezing it was not possible for the pathologist who carried out a post-mortem to determine the cause of death. Mr Harbage said: "The prosecution cannot say exactly how Dunkley killed the deceased. "Having murdered him, the defendant went on a spending spree using Mr Cummins' bank cards to obtain money from cash machines and buy items. "He took over £10,000 and transferred £15,000 from a trust fund." Dunkley met the ex-boxer through a mutual friend, David Pratt, who runs the Leicester Railwaymen's Amateur Boxing Club. Mr Pratt was a trustee and signatory for Mr Cummins' trust fund. The alleged victim, because of his disability and bed sores, had daily visits from community nursing staff. In the last two years of Mr Cummins' life, Dunkley became his full-time carer on an informal basis. Dunkley gave up his job to look after Mr Cummins. Mr Harbage said: "The nature of the relationship between the two was rather curious. "It appears no payment was made to the defendant in such tasks as personal care and companionship. "He may have hoped there would be financial recompense in the end, either as a direct payment or profit from a business venture Mr Cummins was embarking on." Dunkley fell into debt, owing about £16,500. The defendant ensured the ex-boxer's medication was taken and he would go shopping for him and help him with banking transactions and often stayed the night. Mr Harbage said: "Dunkley was Mr Cummins' only regular companion and it wasn't an easy task. "Despite his physical disabilities he was strong-willed and seemed bitter about the consequences of his motorbike accident. "It's clear to some extent Shaun Cummins took advantage of the defendant. "The defendant felt bullied. "He told David Pratt he was getting away from Shaun Cummins because he'd wrecked his life over the last couple of years. "It could be a motive, to be free of Mr Cummins. "Another possible motive may be financial to get his money." The community nurses who visited noted the invalid had good and bad days. On August 8, he was given medication for a urinary infection. On August 30 and 31, nurses noted he "was not his normal self." However there did not appear any cause for concern. Two nurses last saw him at his home on 11.25 am on September 1. Mr Harbage said: "He wasn't seen alive by anyone other than the defendant after that visit. "That the defendant murdered Mr Cummins we can say we have no doubt. "It's likely he was killed on September 1 or 2. "On September 2 the defendant intercepted two nurses outside the property and said Mr Cummins had been admitted to hospital. "It was a lie and the most obvious explanation was Shaun Cummins was already dead and it was told to prevent discovery. "The nurses had no reason to disbelieve him and asked him to let them know when Mr Cummins was discharged." Dunkley, of no fixed address, denies murder between September 1 and 9. He denies theft of Mr Cummins credit card or taking out a payday loan in his name, prior to the death. He admits preventing the lawful burial of the body and four counts of fraud by using Mr Cummins' bank accounts and cheques from his trust fund, after his death. Mr Cummins retired from boxing in 1995 with a record of 22 wins, six defeats and a draw. The trial continues.

Jury told carer murdered ex-boxer Shaun Cummins and chopped his body into pieces


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