Seven in court over OAP murder

Jan 23 2006 By Steve Johnson, Birmingham Mail

SEVEN people, including two husband and wife couples, have appeared in court charged in connection with the brutal killing of a Black Country pensioner.

Trevor Bate, 32, Phillip John Evans, 36, and Phillip Tolley, 46, are all accused of murdering 66-year-old Joshua Miller, who was found with stab wounds to his head and body at his home in Wellington Road, Dudley, on January 13.

Bate, of Holland Street, Evans, of Osprey Drive, Russells Hall Estate, and Tolley, of Duncan Edwards Close, all Dudley, appeared before the town's magistrates court on Saturday.

Tolley's wife Lorraine, 50, also of Duncan Edwards Close, was also in the dock accused of disposal of clothing in an attempt to pervert the course of justice.

Another husband and wife, Philip Cooper, 38, and his wife Susan, 37, both of Maughan Street, Dudley, were both charged with perverting the course of justice. Mrs Cooper was also charged with intent to dispose of evidence.

Amy Charlotte Pearson, 19, of Osprey Drive, was also charged with intent to pervert the course of justice, assisting with the disposal of property and giving a false alibi.

The seven were all remanded in custody to appear at Wolverhampton Crown Court for mention next Monday.

Mr Miller, who lived alone, died in Russells Hall Hospital, Dudley, four hours after being discovered at his home.

A post-mortem examination revealed he died from injuries to his head and body.

Mr Miller was a well-known figure in the Dudley area and had been drinking in the Full Moon pub, in High Street, hours before the brutal killing. Police said he had been tortured before being repeatedly stabbed.