Murder suspect Mark Numms told a jury he was shocked and saddened to find the body of a young friend in an Oxford meadow.

Giving evidence yesterday, Numms told Oxford Crown Court he spent the day drinking with Richard Jackson, in Angel Meadow, near Magdalen Bridge, in January last year, but left him in the evening to get something to eat.

When he returned, Richard, 16, of Brassey Close, Chipping Norton, was dead.

Numms, 25, of Iffley Road, Oxford, denies murder.

He told the jury: "I went to the place where we had stayed during the day, but he wasn't there. As I was walking back I saw Richard lying down. I thought he might be dead."

The trial continues on Monday (February 14).

Story date: Friday 11 February

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