Sheffield factory worker denies colleague’s murder

A SHEFFIELD factory worker accused of battering a colleague to death after lying in wait in the dark has denied killing him, saying they used to talk about going fishing together.
Simon HoldsworthSimon Holdsworth
Simon Holdsworth

Shaun Wainwright, 46, who denies murdering Simon Holdsworth after they finished an evening shift together, said the pair had enjoyed a good relationship.

Wainwright also denied concealing a piece of unused metal railing at work, allegedly saying it would “be handy as a weapon”.

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He told the jury at Teesside Crown Court that there had been no aggression or grievance between the two of them and no confrontation or irritable behaviour.

“He shared my interested in fishing”, he said, “We discussed going fishing together quite a few times.”

Nicholas Rhodes QC, defending, asked him whether he attacked and killed Mr Holdsworth to which he said: “No, I did not”.

He then asked him: “Did you do anything to bring about his murder?”, to which he replied: “No, I didn’t.”

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The incident allegedly happened in the autumn of 2013, when the 36-year-old victim suffered severe skull fractures and lacerations to the scalp.

There were no signs of any defence injuries after his body was found on playing fields at Rainbow Forge Primary School in Sheffield, the prosecution said.

Wainwright, of Dagnam Road, Arbourthorne, worked with Mr Holdsworth at Fluorocarbon Bakeware Systems (FBS) in the South Yorkshire city. The company makes non-stick coating for the baking industry.

Peter Moulson QC had previously said that Wainwright lay in wait for Mr Holdsworth after the pair finished work at 10.45pm on December 16 2013.

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Mr Holdsworth got off a bus and had just ended a mobile phone call as he entered the dark playing fields when he was repeatedly hit with a bar or bat.

The jury has heard that Wainwright has previous convictions for theft, harassment and assault and had been dismissed from a former job for “verbally assaulting” someone.

He also admitted concealing a knife at work and leaving it in his car boot to use on his fishing trips.

The trial continues.