Murder charge jury out

May 1 2008 by Chloe Griffiths, Liverpool Daily Post

A JURY yesterday retired to consider its verdict in the trial of a former soldier accused of killing his ex-girlfriend.

Father-of-three Anthony Clarke is accused of kidnapping Polish waitress Monika Szmecht.

It is alleged he imprisoned her in a van before stabbing her, and then dousing her in petrol and setting her alight on June 11, 2007.

Ms Szmecht, 21, of Wellesbourne Place, Norris Green, managed to struggle down an isolated lane to get help.

Close to death, she told paramedics her former boyfriend had attacked her.

Taxi firm owner Clarke, of Halsey Crescent, West Derby, denies murder.