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Man denies murdering teenage boys Man denies murdering teenage boys
(30 minutes later)
A young man with an "unhealthy obsession" with violence stabbed his two friends to death with a hunting knife near their home, a court heard.A young man with an "unhealthy obsession" with violence stabbed his two friends to death with a hunting knife near their home, a court heard.
Thomas Palmer was 18 when he killed Steven Bayliss, 16, and Nuttawut Meechao, 14, in Finchampstead, Berkshire, in September 2005. Thomas Palmer was 18 when Steven Bayliss, 16, and Nuttawut Meechao, 14, were killed in Finchampstead, Berkshire, in September 2005.
Prosecutor Julian Boughon said it was a "straightforward case of murder".
Mr Palmer, from Blagrove Drive, Wokingham, pleaded not guilty to two murder charges at Reading Crown Court.Mr Palmer, from Blagrove Drive, Wokingham, pleaded not guilty to two murder charges at Reading Crown Court.
He pleaded guilty to manslaughter on grounds of diminished responsibility.
Prosecutor Julian Boughon said it was a "perfectly straightforward case of murder".
'Abnormality of mind'
But he added that "the law permits that when a person kills another he should not be convicted of murder if he was suffering such an abnormality of mind that he cannot be held responsible for his actions".
Mr Boughon said it was for the defence to prove that this was the case.
The court heard that the teenagers were socialising and drinking alcohol ahead of their first day at college the following morning.The court heard that the teenagers were socialising and drinking alcohol ahead of their first day at college the following morning.
But Steven, Nuttawut Meechao - known as T.Wood Nadauld - and Mr Palmer became separated at about 2000 BST.But Steven, Nuttawut Meechao - known as T.Wood Nadauld - and Mr Palmer became separated at about 2000 BST.
Mr Bough told the jury that no-one knew exactly what happened next.Mr Bough told the jury that no-one knew exactly what happened next.
The bodies of the two boys were found in a fieldThe bodies of the two boys were found in a field
A court heard Steven was attacked with "such ferocity that police who found his body believed that an attempt had been made to sever his head from his shoulders".A court heard Steven was attacked with "such ferocity that police who found his body believed that an attempt had been made to sever his head from his shoulders".
It was an injury that killed him almost instantly, but Mr Palmer continued to attack him with the 17 centimetre long blade, stabbing him five more times, the court heard.It was an injury that killed him almost instantly, but Mr Palmer continued to attack him with the 17 centimetre long blade, stabbing him five more times, the court heard.
Nuttawut, who had moved from Thailand a few years before, was stabbed in the chest and received more than 20 other wounds.Nuttawut, who had moved from Thailand a few years before, was stabbed in the chest and received more than 20 other wounds.
Police were alerted when Mr Palmer made a 999 call saying that "somebody has been cut a little".Police were alerted when Mr Palmer made a 999 call saying that "somebody has been cut a little".
But he claimed not to know what had happened and asked officers to take him back to the scene of the crime so he could help.But he claimed not to know what had happened and asked officers to take him back to the scene of the crime so he could help.
'Blood-stained sweatshirt''Blood-stained sweatshirt'
It was there that police noticed his hands and feet were covered in blood.It was there that police noticed his hands and feet were covered in blood.
He had discarded his blood-stained sweatshirt and T-shirt earlier as he left the scene.He had discarded his blood-stained sweatshirt and T-shirt earlier as he left the scene.
The court heard Mr Palmer initially claimed that he had been acting in self defence after Steven produced a knife himself.The court heard Mr Palmer initially claimed that he had been acting in self defence after Steven produced a knife himself.
But he later admitted that the blade was his.But he later admitted that the blade was his.
The trial continues.The trial continues.