Man accused of Mersea Island Fentanyl murders "wasn't bothered about money", court told

Luke D'Wit is accused of murdering Stephen Baxter, 61, and his 64-year-old wife Carol, and rewriting their will to make him a director of their shower mat firm Cazsplash

Author: Cameron GreenPublished 18th Mar 2024

An IT worker accused of fatally poisoning a married couple with fentanyl and changing their will "wasn't bothered about money", a trial has been told.

Luke D'Wit is accused of murdering Stephen Baxter, 61, and his 64-year-old wife Carol, and rewriting their will to make him a director of their shower mat firm Cazsplash.

The couple were found dead at their home in West Mersea, Essex, by their daughter Ellie on Easter Sunday last year.

D'Wit, 34, of West Mersea, denies the murders of Mr and Mrs Baxter, and is on trial at Chelmsford Crown Court.

Adam Davis KC said in his defence closing speech on Monday that D'Wit was "a man of good character".

"He's been described as decent, honest, reliable, trustworthy," said Mr Davis.

"He helped out at soup kitchens, he helped out at the Mersea Carnival, he wasn't bothered about money."

He said D'Wit gave evidence "politely, fluently and coherently".

The defendant earlier told jurors that he created fake identities, including a doctor to talk to Mrs Baxter about her illnesses, on the instructions of Mr Baxter.

Mr Davis said Mr Baxter "couldn't have done the technical side without" D'Wit.

He said D'Wit was advised by a legal professional to make no comment to police after he was arrested on suspicion of double murder and he followed that advice.

"We invite you to find Luke D'Wit not guilty of both counts of murder because at the very least you can't be sure of Luke D'Wit's guilt," he said.

The trial continues, with judge the Honourable Mr Justice Lavender summing up evidence in the case.

Hear all the latest news from across the UK on the hour, every hour, on Greatest Hits Radio on DAB, smartspeaker, at greatesthitsradio.co.uk, and on the Rayo app.