Highgate man 'chopped up traveller'

A MAN from Highgate was part of a ruthless gang who murdered a traveller before chopping off his head and hands, a jury heard this week. Norman Jones, 50 of Dukes Head Yard, was allegedly involved with three other men including his son Joseph, 24, in the

A MAN from Highgate was part of a ruthless gang who murdered a traveller before chopping off his head and hands, a jury heard this week.

Norman Jones, 50 of Dukes Head Yard, was allegedly involved with three other men including his son Joseph, 24, in the abduction and murder of John Finney, 42.

Mr Finney's naked body was found two weeks after he had been snatched from outside his home in a caravan at Park Farm in Northaw, Hertfordshire. His head and hands are still missing.

Prosecutor William Harbage QC told a jury at St Albans Crown Court that in the weeks leading up to the abduction and murder, Mr Finney had received telephone threats to his life.

He said these could be linked to the accused, who were demanding from him the return of their "gear" which he told the jury meant drugs. He said: "It's clear he had seriously upset some thoroughly unscrupulous and ruthless people. This was a callous, coldblooded, pre-meditated execution of a man against whom they bore a grudge."

He said the victim was taken to an industrial unit in Wilbury Way in Hitchin where he was murdered and dismembered.

The court heard the unit had been especially hired by the gang and was subjected afterwards to a meticulous clean-up operation, but spots of blood were later found which contained Mr Finney's DNA.

Jones, along with his son from Crescent Road in New Barnet, Mark Curran, 35 of Dollis Valley Way in Barnet, and Gary Lattimore, 40 of no fixed address, all plead not guilty to the murder.

The trial continues.