Man stands trial accused of killing Lewes mother-of-two

Nicola Stevenson was found dead in a bin in undergrowth on the edge of the recreation ground off Landport Road, Lewes, on November 13, last year.

The mother-of-two had been missing from her home in Stansfield Road, Lewes.

Richard Canlin, 41, unemployed and of no fixed address, appeared before Hove Crown Court on Wednesday (September 30), charged with her murder.

A jury was told he is accused of murdering her between October 10 and November 13, 2019.

Mr Canlin removed a mask so jurors could see his face as they were led into court one by one.

Separated by plastic screens in a covid compliant court at Hove, they were warned evidence in the case would be graphic.

Her Honour Judge Shani Barnes reassured the jury despite the graphic nature of the evidence, they would not see images of Nicola Stevenson.

They were not in court to be terrified, she said.

“Some of you will be concerned you will have to see the deceased.

“We have digital representations rather than seeing the real people involved.

“Some of them look realistic.

“It is important you see where the injuries were inflicted.

“It’s not like on TV, you’re not here to be terrified.”

Nicola’s body was discovered in a bin by a dog walker. A post mortem examination established she died following blunt force trauma to the head.

The cancer survivor was originally from Edinburgh and was a former pupil of Balerno High School in the city, our sister paper The Scotsman reported.

Canlin denies murder.

The trial, expected to last two weeks, continues.

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