A TAXI driver has described unknowingly helping to lift a suitcase allegedly containing Jayden Parkinson’s body into his car.
A jury in Oxford Crown Court today heard evidence from Adrian Stovell - from Go Green Taxis in Didcot - who picked Ben Blakeley up in the early hours of December 9.
Opening his case Richard Latham said this was the night when the 22-year-old used a large suitcase to move Jayden’s body to a Didcot cemetery where it was buried.
Mr Stovell said Blakeley told him he had been thrown out by his girlfriend and had all his belongings in the suitcase.
Mr Latham asked: “Did you help him lift the suitcase into the car?”
He replied: “Yes I did.”
The barrister said: “How heavy was it? You must have lifted a few suitcases into the back of cars.”
Mr Stovell said: “It reminded me of the old-fashioned brown bags of spuds, that was the sort of weight.
“There is no way one of use could have lifted that into the car.”
Ben Blakeley admits manslaughter and perverting the course of justice, but denies murdering the 17-year-old on December 3 last year.
A 17-year-old who cannot be named because of his age admits perverting the course of justice but denies prventing a lawful burial.
The trial continues.
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