A HUSBAND who allegedly tried to cover up a murder by washing and burning clothes boasted to officers about his forensic expertise, a court heard.

PC Simon Hewitt took part in the search of the Harwich home of Triston and Enderlein Biddlecombe following the death of Michael Beckwith.

PC Hewitt, speaking to the jury at Chelmsford Crown Court yesterday, said: “Triston Biddlecombe discussed he had a qualification in forensic science.

“We were having a conversation and one of the comments that stayed in my mind was ‘finding blood does not necessarily prove murder’. I thought that was very strange.”

Items allegedly belonging to murder suspects Scott Swift and Joseph Smith, some of which allegedly had the traces of the blood of victim Mr Beckwith on them, were collected from the home.

Items collected included a camouflage jacket under a sink, allegedly belonging to Swift, and a rucksack found by a sofa.

A washing machine was also disconnected and taken off for testing after Biddlecombe said he was washing Smith’s clothing because “he was going through a tough time”, according to the officer.

Kate Davey, representing Triston Biddlecombe, claimed he made no attempt to hide anything.

She said: “He admitted washing the clothes, he handed over the rucksack.”

Michael Beckwith, 44, was attacked by two masked men with iron bars off Barrack Lane, Harwich on July 31.

He died at Colchester General Hospital on Tuesday, August 2.

Swift, 27, of Station Road, Dovercourt and Smith, 18, of Canning Street, Harwich, are on trial for murder.

Rebecca Ryan, 22, of Hilltop Rise, Weeley, is charged with the murder of her former lover Mr Beckwith and one count of attempting to pervert the course of justice.

Triston Biddlecombe, 24, and wife Enderlein Biddlecombe, 20, both of East Street, Harwich, are charged with assisting Swift and Smith.Both are also charged with perverting the course of justice after allegedly providing a false alibi for Swift. All deny the charges.

The trial continues.