Couple ‘decapitated and dismembered friend before one boasted about eating him’

Benjamin Atkins, 49, bragged to his partner Debbie Pereira, 39, (pictured together) that he had 'cooked' the head of Simon Shotton and 'ate his cheeks', jurors were told

A couple stands accused of a brutal murder, where they allegedly killed, decapitated, and dismembered a drug user, boasting about their heinous act later. Simon Shotton's remains were discovered after a member of the public reported finding a foot inside a large package.

Mr Shotton was living with Pereira and Atkins in exchange for drugs in the two weeks before his death, jurors were told

The 48-year-old had been living with Debbie Pereira, 39, and Benjamin Atkins, 49, exchanging drugs for accommodation in the weeks leading up to his death, jurors were informed. Police arrested the couple after covertly recording them bragging about the murder in a police van, where Atkins chillingly confessed his willingness to repeat the act.

Prosecutors described the murder as grisly, with Shotton's limbs allegedly sawn off using a Wilko's saw, and his body parts scattered around the Boscombe area of Bournemouth. The discovery of his remains sparked a murder investigation, leading to the arrest of Pereira and Atkins.

On September 1, the police went to Pereira's home and discovered her partner of 18 months 'hiding behind a wheelbarrow at the side of the property'

The couple were arrested and the following day, after conducting a 'forensic' search of their house, found the 'severed arms' of Mr Shotton in two black bin bags outside

During the trial at Winchester Crown Court, details emerged of how Dana Burton, a pedestrian, stumbled upon Shotton's foot while seeking shelter from rain, prompting her to alert the authorities. A subsequent search led to the discovery of more body parts, with a postmortem examination revealing the amateur nature of the dismemberment.

Police traced Shotton's belongings, including his iPhone, to a pawn shop where Pereira had sold them. The couple was arrested after being found at Pereira's home, where further evidence of the crime was uncovered.

Police at the scene of the search in Boscombe, Bournemouth, where Mr Shotton's body parts were discovered by a member of the public

In a chilling turn, recordings from a police van captured Atkins discussing the murder, including cooking Shotton's head and eating his cheeks, allegedly prompted by a belief that "God had told him to do it."

Atkins has admitted to perverting the course of justice but denies murder, claiming self-defense. Pereira has pleaded not guilty to all charges related to the murder. The trial is ongoing and expected to last four weeks.