IN THE closing speech by the prosecution at Liverpool Crown Court, Michael Chambers QC told the jury that Scott Davidson, 23, and Rachael Horton, 19, from Little Sutton, slipped from the fantasy world of the gangster rap music they both enjoyed to a world of robbery and murder.
He accused the pair, who both deny murder, of planning to kill 49-year-old Martin Ithell in an attempt to remove the obstacle to their future together.
He said: Neither appear to have shown any concern for his (Martin Ithell) well-being once hes been shot and stabbed. Why? Because they did what they intended to do.
Mr Chambers said text messages between the pair revealed the thought processes going through the defendants minds.
One from Horton to Davidson read: We got each others back, Loo (her pet name for Davidson). Job all over and done with then we can start a family.
But in his closing speech, Richard Pratt QC, for Davidson, dismissed the notion of a murder plan and asked the jury to consider the facts not theories and speculation.
For example, he challenged the prosecutions claim the accused bought paint and decorating equipment like plastic sheeting to cover blood splashes.
He quoted text messages from Davidsons other girlfriend, Francesca Whaling, 28, from Church Lawton, who was expecting to move in with Davidson and made references to wallpaper and decorating.
Mr Pratt argued Martin Ithells conduct bore all the classic hallmarks of a loan shark who had told his client about having access to firearms.
Andrew Thomas, QC, for Horton, in his closing speech, countered that there was no evidence that Horton attacked Mr Ithell with the knife.
Mr Thomas said it was in fact the prosecution that was indulging in fantasy by suggesting there had been an elaborate plan to murder Mr Ithell.
He accepted Horton had lied to protect Davidson but added: Just because someone lies and covers up and tries to protect their boyfriend does not mean they are guilty of murder.
