THE jury in the murder trial of a teenager who, according to a post mortem examination, was forced to drink petrol then set alight has been sworn in. Nine women and three men were sworn in for the trial at Norwich Crown Court today.

THE jury in the murder trial of a teenager who, according to a post mortem examination, was forced to drink petrol then set alight has been sworn in.

Nine women and three men were sworn in for the trial at Norwich Crown Court today.

Maria Chandler, 40, from Lancaster Road in Yarmouth, Jonathan Clarke, 19, from Telford in Stropshire and Jimi-Lee Stewart, 24, from Nelson Road Central in Yarmouth have all denied playing a part in the death of Simon James Everitt, a 17-year-old engineering student from Yarmouth seafront whose body was found tied to a tree on June 28 last year in Mautby.

Everitt went missing on June 7 last year. After weeks of searching it was a tip-off to the police which led to the discovery of the teenager's body which had been buried in a ditch near to woodland.

A post-mortem examination said he had been tied to a tree, made to drink petrol and set on fire.

All three have denied kidnapping Mr Everitt and murdering him between June 6 and June 28 last year.

Chandler is being defended by Graham Parkins QC, Clarke by Anthony Arlidge QC and Stewart by Paul Lewis QC.