A blood-spattered metal shipping container found on the premises of a Liverpool garage matched the DNA profile of a Liverpool dad whose body was later found in a burning car, a court heard.

The trial of four men accused of the murder of 54-year-old Joseph McKeever continued at Liverpool Crown Court today.

The blood stains were spread across a wide area of the green metal container in the yard of MGM Garage, off Brecon Street, where one of the suspects - Jamie Grimes - worked.

Giving evidence, forensic scientist Simon Telford said he carried out a thorough examination of the container.

Traces of blood were found in a number of areas, including on the inside of the door, the wall, a swivel chair on top of a desk, a filing cabinet, a TV set, a hydraulic metal press, and a scrambler bike being stored in the container, the court heard.

Mr Telford said there might have been more blood on the floor of the container, but because the floor appeared to have been ‘mopped’ with oil it was not detectable.

A number of items in the container could have been used as a weapon, said Mr Telford. This included a crowbar, two poles, two heavy metal blocks, and a razor blade - but none of those items bore visible blood stains.

Under questioning, Mr Telford said his scientific findings did not exclude the possibility of a “serious assault” having taken place inside the container.

A police forensic tent was put up in Everton after the discovery of Joseph McKeever's body
A police forensic tent was put up in Everton after the discovery of Joseph McKeever's body

A number of the blood stains were “diluted,” which could have been the result of a wet cloth being used in an attempt to clean up the container, said Mr Telford.

The court also heard evidence about the timings and location of the defendants’ mobile phone use on the evening of June 14 and the early hours of June 15 last year, when Mr McKeever disappeared and before the discovery of his body in a burnt-out car in Everton.

Detective Constable John Heath, who specialises in phones and communications data, was questioned about a Whatsapp message one of the suspects - Darren Colecozy - sent his girlfriend in the early hours of June 15, saying “it’s like a fu**n power episode.”

DC Heath confirmed this was a reference to an American TV drama called Power which related to a New York criminal network, or “violence set against a criminal background.” The Whatsapp message on Colecozy’s phone was also accompanied by several “speechless” emojis.

Gregory Robinson, who is an expert on analysis of mobile phones usage, gave evidence on a “flurry of activity” on a number of the defendant’s phones at around the time Mr McKeever went missing.

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There was a cluster of calls made in the vicinity of the MGM Garage, where Grimes worked and where the metal shipping container was located.

There were also records of phone activity in the location of Colecozy’s home in Picton Crescent, Wavertree.

Mr Robinson pointed out there were certain triggers on the phone which create records, or a data connection.

He said: “A lot of it is background activity, it does not mean the phone is actually being used for voice calls or text messages. They are not contact, but activity by the service provider.”

The cordoned-off field in Everton after Joseph McKeever, from Walton, was discovered dead
The cordoned-off field in Everton after Joseph McKeever, from Walton, was discovered dead

Grimes, 22, of Breckside Park, Anfield, has admitted false imprisonment, but denies kidnap and murder.

The other defendants - Dylan Owen, 22, of Paul McCartney Way, Kensington; Darren Colecozy, 22, of no fixed address; and Kelly, 31, of Snaefell Avenue, Old Swan, deny kidnap, false imprisonment and murder.

(Proceeding)