A 52-year-old man from Derby kept a dead body in his freezer for almost two years, a court heard....CONTINUE READING
Damion Johnson is also alleged to have used John Wainwright’s bank card to withdraw cash and pay for goods.
Another charge involves the defendant, who lives in the Stockbrook area of the city, transferring the alleged victim’s money into his account……CONTINUE READING
Mr Wainwright, 71, died in September 2018 – the cause of which is as yet undetermined – but, it’s understood according to the prosecution case, that his body was not discovered in the freezer until August 2020.
Johnson, of Sun Street, was not asked to enter any pleas to the four charges he faces.
Damion Johnson (pictured outside Derbyshire Magistrates’ Court), 52, is also alleged to have kept the body his flatmate John Wainwright in a freezer for nearly two years
Johnson, of Sun Street, is also accused of using Mr Wainwright’s bank card to withdraw cash and pay for goods
Dressed in a black coat, light-coloured trousers, and trainers and carrying a green bag he was supported by a family member when he appeared on bail at Southern Derbyshire Magistrates’ Court this week.
Prosecutor Shairoz Ahmed told the short hearing that the most serious charge Johnson faces can only be heard at a higher court.
No specific details of the allegations were read to the court at this week’s hearing.
Handing him bail, magistrate Christopher Walker, chair of the bench, said: ‘You face four charges and the most serious one can only be heard at a crown court and as such your case will be sent to Derby Crown Court.’
The offences are alleged to have taken place when Johnson and Mr Wainwright lived at a flat in Cleveland Tower, Holywell Head, in Birmingham city centre.
The charges include preventing the lawful and decent burial of a dead body between September 1, 2018 and August 22, 2020.
Three other charges relate to fraudulently using Mr Wainwright’s bank card and transferring money from Mr Wainwright’s bank account.
Johnson will appear at Derby Crown Court, where he is expected to enter his pleas, next month.
