Cyclist killer in court.
Tragic teenager Connor Lyons' cause of death has been revealed, for the first time.
The 17-year-old was found dead on the river bank close to Thomas Clarkson Way on the outskirts of Bransholme on the morning of January 19 this year.
He had been strangled and drowned.
Cole Jarvis, 21, of Stroud Crescent West, denies murdering the teenager and his trial began on Monday at Hull Crown Court.
Jason Pitter QC outlined the prosecution’s case on the open day to the jury of ten men and two women.
He revealed how Connor died, something which has not been made public before.
He told the jury a woman was walking her dog along the banks of the River Hull near Thomas Clarkson Way on the morning of January 19, when she came across the body of a teenage boy.
Mr Pitter said: “He had been strangled and drowned.”
The prosecution say that Cole Jarvis assaulted Connor Lyons and intended either to kill him or cause him really serious harm which led directly to the 17-year-old’s death.
“We say the defendant left the victim for dead,” Mr Pitter said.
Mr Jarvis was initially arrested is suspicion of bike theft after being found in possession of Connor’s bike.
He had claimed to have no knowledge of the bike which was later found in the shed of a family member.
But once the pathologist established Connor had not just drowned but was also strangled, Mr Jarvis was arrested on suspicion of murder and gave a ‘no comment’ interview
A blue rope was also found in Mr Jarvis’s garden which has Connor’s DNA on it. Mr Pitter says the prosecution believes this may have been used as a ligature with which to strangle Connor
Mr Pitter said: “The medical cause of death was drowning but when the body was examined by the pathologist there was evidence of strangulation.
“That in itself could have been fatal and would certainly have likely rendered the victim unconscious. He could also have been held directly under the water.
“Either way, Connor was left deliberately and vulnerable to drowning. Mr Jarvis either killed Connor or intended him really serious harm which led directly to his death.”
The trial continues and is expected to last eight days.
https://www.hulldailymail.co.uk/news/hull-east-yorkshire-news/tragic-teen-connor-lyons-cause-5943516