A SCRAP metal man on trial accused of murdering his new bride before dumping her body in a suitcase four days after the wedding has declined to give evidence.

Thomas Nutt’s barrister, Stephen Wood QC, today told the jury at Bradford Crown Court: “Mr Nutt will not be giving evidence, nor will we be giving evidence on his behalf.”

During the trial, the jury has been shown film of Nutt wheeling Dawn Walker’s body down the garden in a black suitcase just as the police were arriving at his door to investigate her disappearance.

He denies murdering her but has pleaded guilty to manslaughter.

Alistair MacDonald QC, for the Crown, alleges that Miss Walker, 52, was dead before Nutt set out with his caravan for their ‘honeymoon’ in a layby near Skegness.

The couple were married at Halifax Register Office on October 27 last year and Miss Walker was said to have last been seen alive late that evening.

Nutt, 45, of Shirley Grove, Lightcliffe, said he killed her by hitting her in the face and taking her in a choke hold after they returned from Skegness on October 29.

He told the police he hid her body in a cupboard after she went limp and he couldn’t feel a pulse.

After reporting her missing on Halloween, he realised the police would search his house so he ran upstairs for the suitcase, stuffed Miss Walker’s body in it and ‘chucked’ it over the fence before hiding it in bushes.

The jury was shown CCTV footage of the couple’s wedding day. Miss Walker wore a bright red bridal gown and the celebration continued at the Prince Albert pub in Brighouse.

Nutt reported Miss Walker missing while knowing she was dead, Mr MacDonald said.

CCTV played in court showed Nutt dragging the wheeled suitcase containing her body down his garden and dumping it in the bushes.

On his way back he met a police officer dealing with the missing person report. He noticed that Nutt was sweating and had a wet stain on one knee where he had knelt to deposit the case.

Anne-Marie Metcalfe, the maid of honour at the wedding, zipped open the case a few inches soon afterwards and was shocked by its contents. Nutt handed himself in at Halifax Police Station the same day.

The court heard that Miss Walker died from pressure on the neck.

The trial continues.