LOUGHTON: 'Arms in lake' killer convicted (From East London and West Essex Guardian Series)

LOUGHTON: 'Arms in lake' killer convicted

3:32pm Tuesday 31st January 2012 in Epping Forest News By Clare Hardy

A DRUG dealer who murdered a father-of-five and dumped his severed arms in a fishing lake while hiding his torso and legs at his home has been convicted.

Douglas Binet, 54, of Hanson Drive, Loughton, was found guilty of the murder of Anthony Whitefield, 47, of Bryony Close, Loughton, at Chelmsford Crown Court today (Tuesday).

After the verdict, Mr Whitefield’s family made a plea for information on the location of the former taxi driver’s head, which has never been found.

In a statement, his children said: “We would like to say how extremely happy we are with the outcome of today’s verdict.

“It has been a very difficult year for all who knew dad and we are glad that justice has finally been served.

“Unfortunately, our father’s head has never been found and the defendant refuses to tell us where our dad’s head is.

“We would like to appeal to anyone who knows where it is so that we can lay our father to rest as a whole, as any normal human being deserves.”

They said their father, who was also a grandfather, brother and friend, was “loved and liked by all.”

“Our greatest respect and thanks go to the whole team at Kent and Essex police who have been incredibly supportive throughout the whole case,” they added.

Mr Whitefield was reported missing in February last year, two months before his arms were found in Roding lake, off Greensted Road, Loughton.

Binet claimed that Mr Whitefield’s torso and legs were delivered to his home by men who pointed a gun to his head and told him “something would be delivered” the next day.

But the jury unanimously found him guilty.

He is due to be sentenced at Chelmsford Crown Court on Thursday (February 2).

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