A "manipulative" murder suspect posed as a doctor so he could trick a woman into believing she was winning a battle against a serious auto-immune disease, a court heard.

Luke D’Wit, of Churchfields, West Mersea, appeared in court on Wednesday to stand trial of two charges of murder, with the prosecution opening the case at Chelmsford Crown Court.

It is alleged D’Wit, 34, murdered Stephen and Carol Baxter by replacing their medication with lethal doses of Fentanyl, a type of painkiller, and Promethazine, a type of antihistamine.

On Wednesday afternoon, the prosecution told the court how D’Wit also created an array of fake email and WhatsApp accounts on different devices so he could pose as an endocrinologist who specialised in treating Hashimoto’s thyroiditis – a condition Mrs Baxter had been diagnosed with.

Gazette: Footage - Essex Police has shared bodycam footage of when D'Wit was questioned at the scene of the murderFootage - Essex Police has shared bodycam footage of when D'Wit was questioned at the scene of the murder (Image: Essex Police)

The court heard how D’Wit fabricated a persona in the form of an American doctor called Andrea Bowden; through a fake email and WhatsApp account, D’Wit is said to have recommended that cut off connections with her family to help cure herself of the disease.

D’Wit is also accused of creating a WhatsApp group consisting of several other fake accounts, each of which purported to be fellow sufferers of Hashimoto’s thyroiditis; the messages exchanged in the group told how Dr Bowen’s advice had helped cure them of the disease.

Tracy Ayling, prosecuting, said D’Wit had been in a position of trust as he was in the Baxters’ house helping look after Carol on an almost daily basis.

Whilst in the Baxter household, D’Wit administered medication and made health tonics recommended by the so-called Dr Bowden, who the prosecution say was D’Wit himself.

Tracy Ayling, prosecuting, said Dr Bowden was “one of the many fictitious identities D’Wit created” in order to manipulate Mrs Baxter.

Gazette: Trust - D'Wit had been in a position of trust as a family friend, the court heardTrust - D'Wit had been in a position of trust as a family friend, the court heard (Image: Essex Police)

She said: “D’Wit was a family friend and was always around. As D’Wit was always around, he became involved in caring for Carol and managing her symptoms.

“According to Ellena Baxter, D’Wit researched doctors who specialised in thyroid conditions – this is where they thought she found Andrea Bowden.

“Andrea Bowden would send them advice on how to manage symptoms and what meds to take – D’Wit managed all mum’s medication.

“That’s how manipulative this is.”