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Man murdered two brothel workers Man murdered two brothel workers
(20 minutes later)
A 22-year-old man has admitted killing two women at a Shropshire brothel with a hammer. A 22-year-old man has admitted killing two women with a hammer at a brothel in Shropshire.
Garry Harding, of Welshpool, Powys, had denied murdering prostitute Samantha Tapper, 23, and receptionist Annie Eels, 55, at the parlour in Shropshire. Garry Harding, of Welshpool, Powys, had denied murdering prostitute Samantha Tapper, 23, and receptionist Annie Eels, 55, at the parlour in Shrewsbury.
But he changed his plea during the first day of his trial at Birmingham Crown Court.But he changed his plea during the first day of his trial at Birmingham Crown Court.
Mr Harding had previously used prostitutes at the Shrewsbury parlour, called Rachael's Health Studio. Mr Harding had previously used prostitutes at the massage parlour, called Rachael's Health Studio.
Mrs Eels was a receptionist and Miss Tapper worked as a prostitute. Both were alone in the premises, in Frankwell, on 1 July, when Harding arrived. Mrs Eels was a receptionist and Miss Tapper worked as a prostitute. Both were alone in the premises, in Frankwell, on 1 July 2006, when Harding arrived.
Their bodies were found during the early hours of 2 July. They had suffered severe head injuries. He was armed with a hammer and bludgeoned them to death Stephen Linehan QC, prosecuting
Earlier in court, Stephen Linehan QC, prosecuting, told the court that Harding had previously used prostitutes at the parlour. Their bodies were found during the early hours of 2 July. They had suffered severe head injuries with Mrs Eels receiving at least 16 blows to the head and face.
Miss Tapper was said by the prosecution to have suffered 14 blows.
The court heard Harding, who had gambling debts of up to £16,000, thought he would find at least £2,000 at the parlour but came away with around £330.
World Cup
Stephen Linehan QC, prosecuting, said Harding had previously used prostitutes at the parlour.
"What the two women could not have known is that he (Harding) had not come for sex but to kill them."What the two women could not have known is that he (Harding) had not come for sex but to kill them.
"He was armed with a hammer and bludgeoned them to death," he said."He was armed with a hammer and bludgeoned them to death," he said.
After killing the women Harding returned home and watched the England v Portugal World Cup match on television with his brother.
Several weeks later police released CCTV images of a suspect.
Letter written
Mr Linehan said Harding realised it was inevitable he would be identified.
"That night he wrote a letter in which he confessed to the killings and handed it to his brother, telling him not to read it until after he'd left."
The court hear that in the letter Harding admitted stealing money from the massage parlour.
It also said he used a hammer from his mother's garden shed to carry out the murders.
Afterwards, he dipped it in paint to destroy evidence. He also took a CCTV monitor from the parlour when he fled, fearing he had been recorded.
The case continues.