FINAL speeches are being made to the jury in the trial of three people accused of murder.

Carer Michael Beckwith was attacked on July 31 off Barrack Lane, Harwich.

It is alleged he was lured to the scene by ex-girlfriend Rebecca Ryan while two men lay in wait.

It is alleged Scott Swift, another of Ryan’s ex-partners and the then 17-year-old Joseph Smith beat him with metal bars.

Mr Beckwith, of Goodlake Close, Dovercourt, was rushed to Colchester General Hospital. He died on August 2.

Swift, 27, of Station Road, Dovercourt, Smith, 18, of Canning Street, Harwich, and Ryan, 22, of Hilltop Rise, Weeley, all deny murder. Smith admitted one count of manslaughter during the trial.

Triston Biddlecombe, 24, and wife, Enderlein, 20, both of East Street, Harwich, deny assisting alleged offenders Swift and Smith by washing their clothes.

It is alleged the husband and wife, knowing Swift and Smith had committed an offence washed clothing they had worn with the intent of impeding their apprehension.

They deny another count of assisting the alleged offenders by burning their clothes.

The couple are also charged with perverting the course of justice by providing police with a false alibi for Swift.

The jury are no longer required to reach a verdict on a charge of perverting the course of justice against Ryan.

It was alleged she falsely claimed she had also been the victim of an attack when the attack of Michael Beckwith took place.