A BEAUTIFUL farmhouse in rural Lymm has a dark secret - it was once the home of a fugitive wanted for the horrific murder of a drug dealer.

Christopher Guest More has been on the run for three years.

He flew to Spain within 36 hours of the torture and murder of Brian Waters on June 19, 2003.

Mr Waters suffered 123 injuries, had acid dropped on his back and was attacked with metal bars and garden canes.

Three men have been convicted of the murder, which was believed to be over a £20,000 drugs debt, but More, now aged 27, is sill missing.

He lived at a converted council dairy farm, in Burford Lane, with his brother, sister and parents, after they bought it at auction in 1997.

The old milking sheds were converted into flats for the use of staff of a horse riding business run by More's sister.

A swimming pool was built and the site was completely refurbished.

It was also fitted with extensive security devices including security cameras, electronic gates and a panic button to the police station.

A neighbour said: "The parents were friendly initially then they got more private and didn't like people on their property."

Close neighbours are still wary about talking - one hurriedly closed the door and said 'I'm not going to comment'.

New owners bought the property from the Mores in 2004 to run as a stables business. In court, the Mores were said to be renovating a property in the area to the value of £707,500.

Two detectives visited the couple soon afterwards to break the news of the farm's background and advised them to change the locks and security codes - and to get in contact if anyone called asking for More.

The new owners declined to comment when the Warrington Guardian visited.

sbailey@guardiangrp.co.uk