Michael Duck QC is leading Matthew Brook in the prosecution against a man accused of murdering his friend – a 39-year-old mother of three.
Terri Webb’s partially-clothed body was recovered from the River Wye near the Hampton Park area of Hereford weeks after she was reported missing in November 2016. Ian Palamountain denies her murder.
Mr Duck told Worcester Crown Court Palamountain, 47, of Huskinson Drive, College Estate, Hereford, made calls to police raising concerns for Ms Webb’s welfare following her disappearance, despite being the last person reported to see her alive as they walked along the riverbank on November 14.
He alleged Palamountain killed Ms Webb that afternoon and then made ‘desperate’ attempts to deny responsibility, including encouraging his partner at the time, Louise Emery, to join him in raising concern for Ms Webb’s mental state in the days she was missing.
Mr Duck described their call to police as ‘inexplicable’ as Palamountain had failed to tell police he had seen Ms Webb on the afternoon of her disappearance.
Mr Duck told the jury no cause of death could be determined after Ms Webb’s body was recovered from the river on December 27, 2016.
The trial continues.
