NEWENT heroin addict Tom Holt was subjected to a ferocious attack inside a couple's car before he was dropped in a river, a jury was told.

The body of the 36-year-old former Newent Community School pupil, who grew up on May Hill, was found a month later weighted down with rocks.

His alleged killers Shaun and Petra Stokes wanted to get their hands on Mr Holt's £12,000 inheritance to pay off debts, Worcester Crown Court heard this week.

Shaun Stokes, a builder, had a £30-a-day drug habit and his partner – who took his surname though they were not married – also used drugs.

Mr Holt, described as a gentle, quiet man, was last seen getting into what was believed to be their Volvo on September 18, 2009, said prosecutor James Burbidge QC.

Shaun Stokes, aged 32, and 27-year-old Petra Stokes, of Hasnett Road, Ledbury, deny murder.

Petra Stokes also denies assisting an offender by disposing of a body.

The body of unmarried Mr Holt was discovered in the River Frome at Avenbury, near Bromyard.

A pathologist found he had sustained skull fractures from a weapon with 14 lacerations to the back of his head. His wrists were bruised, consistent with being restrained, and he had fractures to a cheekbone, eye socket and ribs.

It was not known whether Mr Holt died from the blows or drowning, said Mr Burbidge.

Two days before he was killed, Mr Holt had £12,856 deposited into his account from his late mother's estate.

Scientists found tiny blood spots inside the defendants' car which matched Mr Holt's DNA.

The QC said he was attacked on the back seat and efforts had been made to clean up the blood.

Shaun Stokes told police he had loaned Mr Holt £4,000 and in return had been given his bank card and pin number and permission to withdraw money from Mr Holt's account.

He claimed Mr Holt had suffered a severe nosebleed inside his Volvo eight weeks earlier.

Mother-of-one Petra Stokes alleged to officers that she was present when her partner killed Mr Holt with a chunk of wood.

She claimed she was warned that if she told anyone she would be 'the next one to be killed'.

Mr Burbidge told the jury: "This is a joint case of murder, they were in it together. They both benefited."

He said the couple also had plans to quit Britain and move to Slovakia, where Petra Stokes had been born.

The trial continues.