Husband 'found estranged wife's new lover in cupboard before beating him to ... trends now
A father murdered his wife's new lover with the help of his son after they found him cowering in a bedroom cupboard, a court has been told.
Wayne Peckham, 49, and son Riley Peckham, 23, allegedly attacked Matthew Rodwell, 39, shortly after he had made a frantic 999 call to police from his hiding place.
Mr Rodwell is said to have been repeatedly kicked, stamped and punched and died from strangulation at the house in Downham Market, Norfolk.
Both defendants deny the charges of murder against them.
Wayne Peckham, 49, denied murder and a charge of assaulting his wife causing actual bodily harm at Norwich Crown Court
Riley Peckham, 23, has denied murder and a charge of assault occasioning actual bodily harm at Norwich Crown Court
Matthew Rodwell, 39, is said to have been repeatedly kicked, stamped and punched and died from strangulation
Norwich Crown Court heard how Mr Rodwell had been in a relationship with Wayne's estranged wife Kerry Peckham and was at her home on the evening of January 23 last year.
It is alleged that the father and son had killed him 'to settle scores' in a 'joint enterprise'
Prosecutor Riel Karmy-Jones KC said Mr Rodwell was 'terrified about being found by Riley and Wayne' and hid in the cupboard when he realised they had turned up at the house just before 8pm.
She said: 'Matthew, still hiding in a cupboard upstairs, heard Kerry downstairs. He hid in the wardrobe and called 999.'
During this call the prosecutor claims, Mr Rodwell was heard to express 'genuine fear about what was about to take place.'
Jurors were told that Mrs Peckham had allowed her son Riley into the house through a window after she heard him on the roof outside.
Once inside, it's claimed that Riley Peckham discovered Mr Rodwell's shoes and found him hiding in the cupboard screaming: 'He's here.'
The court heard that Kerry Peckham (left) had tried to prevent Wayne from entering the house
At this point, the court heard, Wayne Peckham had also entered the house despite Mrs Peckham protesting that she wanted both
