TWO of the men accused of being involved in the murder of a convicted rapist have decided not to give evidence at their trial.

Ian Palmer, 45, of Whitegate Drive, Padiham and 21-year-old Kieron Davison of Lancaster Drive, Padiham, deny murdering 26-year-old Alan Street.

The jury at Preston Crown Court has heard that neither defendant will step into the witness box to give evidence.

Davison has admitted man-slaughter in the presence of the jury but the prosecution has refused to accept his plea to the lesser charge.

Peter Leonard, 52, of Trinity Street, Oswaltwistle, who also denies murder, has told the court Mr Street was already dead when he arrived at the house in Padiham where he was killed.

He has admitted helping to move the body which was later dumped in a culvert in Accrington.

A fourth man, Allan Palmer, 44, of Stockbridge Road, Padiham has pleaded guilty to murder.

The jury has been told Mr Street had served a prison sentence for raping an adult, but he had been wrongly labelled a paedophile.

The prosecution allege that Mr Street was attacked with weapons, fists and feet at the Stockbridge Road address and that there had been an element of torture.

The trial continues with closing speeches to the jury.

Proceeding