Murder trial told of ‘staged’ car crash

A COURT has heard details of a car accident allegedly staged by a man who is said to have driven his parents into a canal in a failed attempt to secure a £230,000 inheritance.

The couple survived and Stephen Seddon, 46, is accused of subsequently shooting them dead at their home.

A jury heard that Seddon drove a BMW containing his father Robert Seddon, 68, mother Patricia, 65, and nephew Daniel, 27, into a Manchester canal.

Witness Ruth Carroll told the court she was driving along Canal Road in Timperley, south Manchester, at around 8pm on a night in March last year when she noticed car headlights coming towards her and then saw the vehicle go into the canal.

Ms Carroll said: “I saw some people standing on the canal bank. There was the car and then I saw somebody sat on top of the car.

“He appeared to be kicking backwards at the car, shouting ‘Please help me!’ A little bit after I got out of my car there appeared to be an older gentleman get out of the canal.”

The court heard a fireman eventually rescued Mrs Seddon, who had become trapped in the vehicle, with the accused’s nephew breaking free from the car.

The quiet and unassuming couple were found shot at close range with a sawnoff shotgun at the family home on July 4 last year.

Seddon denies two counts of murder and two counts of attempted murder.

The trial continues.