A Canvey man strangled his brother's girlfriend and tried to cover up the murder by setting fire to her flat, a court heard.
Ian Jarvis is on trial at Chelmsford Crown Court, facing a charge of murdering Ann Marie Couldridge between May 11 and 14 last year while his brother Eric was in prison.
Jarvis, 37, of Second Avenue, Canvey, allegedly started two fires in the 28-year-old victim's flat in Hilton Road, Canvey. Firefighters had to use thermal imaging cameras and breathing apparatus to find the naked and partly-burned body of Ann Marie.
Prosecutor Jeremy Gompertz QC said Jarvis and Ann Marie visited Eric, who was serving a three-month sentence at Chelmsford Prison, the day before the murder.
More in today's Evening Echo
The trial continues
Published Tuesday October 22, 2002
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