A police officer told a jury he found the licensee’s body when he smashed his way into a locked Bradford pub.

Sergeant Alexander Artis said he and other officers went to the Seven Stars in Greengates after “a concern for safety” call from residents in the area.

He said the pub, in Harrogate Road, was in darkness when they arrived at 8pm on September 13 last year.

There was a note in the bar window saying it was closed because the licensee, Kevan Worrall, had gone to hospital.

A police constable battered down a door and officers searched the downstairs cellar and bar areas.

They broke into the upstairs living area and Sgt Artis said he found Mr Worrall’s body in a bedroom.

Mr Worrall, 46, was lying on his back with his head facing the radiator.

His only visible injury was a small scab on the back of his head, the jury at Bradford Crown Court heard yesterday.

Sgt Artis said there was no sign of a disturbance at the pub.

A small safe in another bedroom was open and empty. An empty cash register was lying on a desk in the living room and a large safe in another room was also empty.

Mr Worrall’s gay partner, Callum Adams, 39, who lived at the pub with him, pleads not guilty to his murder.

The jury has heard from regulars at the Seven Stars that Adams was tearful and angry the Saturday night before Mr Worrall died.

He and Mr Worrall were reportedly not on speaking terms.

Adams allegedly said “someone’s going to die tonight” and repeatedly threatened that he was going to kill Mr Worrall.

Adams admits fleeing to London with the pub takings and Mr Worrall’s laptop computer and mobile phone.

The jury has heard that Mr Worrall was smothered to death.

Adams maintains he killed him in reasonable self-defence and that he was provoked.

The trial continues.