A VULNERABLE grandfather was lured into a carpark and killed when his murderer plunged a 'straight-edged' weapon into the back of his skull, a court heard this week.

At Chester Crown Court, prosecutors opened their case against Sean Carraher, aged 38, who denies murdering 61-year-old alcoholic Peter Harris at some time between August 3 and 6 last year.

The beaten body of father-of-five Mr Harris was found by an HGV delivery driver in the Iceland carpark in Sandbach at 5.15am last August 5.

The prosecution allege that Carraher, of Palmer Road in Sandbach, killed Mr Harris for financial reasons and because he was getting too close to his girlfriend, Connie Bowden.

It was widely known that Mr Harris had just received £50,175 through the sale of his previous house in Princess Drive.

Prosecutor Michael Chambers said: "We say he struck him on the back of the head with an object using such force that he fractured his skull, before kicking him, breaking two ribs.

"We say he did this because Peter Harris, an alcoholic, had been getting too close to his girlfriend and also to rob him to get money for drugs.

"After the murder we say he was boastful and admitted to various friends what he had done."

The court heard that Mr Harris met Carraher and Miss Bowden on the Sandbach drinking circuit.

In the week before his death, Miss Bowden began to spend more time with Mr Harris and the prosecution say she stole his credit cards before handing them to Carraher, who allegedly made five unsuccessful attempts to make cash withdrawals.

On the morning of his death, Mr Harris reported his cards stolen and made a £500 withdrawal.

Throughout the afternoon and evening, he was seen drinking with Miss Bowden until they left the Old Hall Hotel at 11.30pm.

The pair went their separate ways, but moments later a very drunk Mr Harris was seen staggering into the Iceland carpark.

A post-mortem revealed that Mr Harris had four-and-a-half times the drink-drive limit of alcohol in his blood and suffered a fractured skull, two broken ribs and several cuts and abrasions.

The position of his body suggested that his attacker returned to the scene to steal cash.

A search recovered £61 from Mr Harris' body, £30 from his home and £32 from the murder scene.

In the trial's second day on Tuesday, the jury visited the carpark and the surrounding area.

Carraher denies murder, saying he was at home with his parents at the time.

He also denies being well-acquainted with Mr Harris, referring to him as 'Peter or Paul' in interviews.

In a police statement, Carraher said he visited Crewe twice in consecutive days before and after the murder to buy cocaine.

The trial continues.