Royle had money for drugs on attack day

AN ACQUAINTANCE of the man alleged to have killed Shaw pensioner Nellie Geraghty told a court he “scored” drugs for the defendant just hours after the attack that left her for dead.

Fellow drug user Sean Kelly — who said he didn’t hear about the attack until weeks later — told a jury Mark Royle (37) had three “crisp and fresh” £20 notes when he came to his flat.

Mr Kelly said that hours earlier, on the day of the robbery, Royle had been “desperate” for money.

Royle returned from a later outing with £60, claiming he had stolen a laptop from a vehicle which he had then sold. The money was used to buy drugs.

Eighteen pieces of CCTV footage of the defendant cycling around Shaw between 11.35am-11.51am were shown to the jury.

Royle, of no fixed abode, denies murder, manslaughter and robbery.

The trial continues.


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