Body parts found in suitcase with towel - court told

The remains of a man were found inside a suitcase alongside an Arsenal Football Club towel, a court has heard.

Albert Alfonso, 62, and Paul Longworth, 71, were killed at their flat in Shepherds Bush, west London, last July and some of their body parts transported in suitcases to the Clifton Suspension Bridge in Bristol.

Yostin Mosquera, 35, is accused of murdering both men which he denies. He has admitted the manslaughter of Mr Alfonso by way of loss of self-control.

Dr Deborah Cook, a forensic pathologist, told Woolwich Crown Court the heads of the two men had been left in a chest freezer which had not been turned on.

She said Mr Longworth had died after suffering nine hammer blows to the head and Mr Alfonso had been stabbed more than 20 times, including on his torso and upper arms.

Both men had suffered multiple "defence-type" injuries on their hands, she added.

The court was told Mr Alfonso's torso, arms and feet were found in a maroon hard-shell suitcase with a broken handle on Clifton Suspension Bridge.

"The torso was covered in an Arsenal Football Club towel", she said.

"Above the torso were two detached legs, bent at the knees almost in a cross-legged position.

"Underneath the body parts there was a beach towel".

Police later discovered his head in the freezer at their flat, which was wearing a swimming cap and black leather eye mask, the court was told.

The remains of Mr Longworth were found in a silver trunk on the Clifton Suspension Bridge, alongside a Marks & Spencer blanket.

"The torso of Paul Longworth was discovered in the case wearing a black Giorgio Armani t-shirt", she told the court.

"The legs were detached and a white towel was placed underneath the neck area of the torso."

Prosecutor Deanna Heer KC said Mr Alfonso appeared to have been sniffing muscle relaxant drugs known as 'poppers' around the time of his death.

Dr Cook said: "It is not possible to say whether they were present or not".

"Poppers are volatile in that they rapidly come out of body and come out in the air," she added.

The trial continues.

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