Gang Accused Of ‘Paedophile’ Killing

A man with severe learning difficulties was imprisoned, tortured and killed after he was falsely accused of being a paedophile, a court was told.

Steven Hoskin, 39, who was described as a child trapped in a man’s body, was led to a viaduct where he fell 100ft to his death after months of torment, during which he was dragged around by a dog lead and forced to act as a slave.

Mr Hoskin, was allegedly burnt with cigarettes until he “confessed” to being a paedophile and the walls of his flat were daubed with grafitti, saying “f****** nonce should be hung”.

The alleged ringleaders were Darren Stewart, 30, and his 16-year-old girlfriend. After torturing Mr Hoskin with lit cigarettes the couple are alleged to have forced him to swallow 70 paracetamol tablets.

Along with another defendant, Martin Pollard, 21, the pair then allegedly led Mr Hoskin to a viaduct in St Austell, Corn-wall. His body was found at the foot of the viaduct the following morning.

Mr Stewart, Mr Pollard, and the girl, who is now aged 17 but cannot be named for legal reasons, yesterday denied murder at Truro Crown Court. Two youths, aged 16 and 17, pleaded not guilty to actual bodily harm and false imprisonment.

Sarah Munro QC, prosecuting, said: “The plan was hatched that they would walk him to the viaduct in the dead of night along a railway track to a point where he was forced into falling to his death.”

Mr Stewart, Mr Pollard and the girl, who admitted inflicting actual bodily harm, deny murder. The two men have also pleaded guilty to false imprisonment. The trial continues.