Murder-accused 'got on fine' with lodger, court told

A "weapons fanatic" accused of shooting his lodger and dismembering his body has told a court he "didn't fall out with him ever".

Richard Dyson, 55, disappeared in November 2019, with his remains discovered in a concrete-filled barrel on a trailer at Alderthwaite Farm in Barnsley in July 2025.

Prosecutors allege Christopher Wright killed Dyson when he tried to steal from him before disposing of the body with the help of his childhood friend Karl Schwalbe.

However, Wright, of Sheffield Road in Hoyland, told jurors at Sheffield Crown Court on Monday that he had known Dyson for 30 years and "got on with him fine".

Wright, 73, denies murdering Dyson, preventing a lawful burial, several firearms offences and conspiracy to pervert the course of justice.

Schwalbe, 72, of Dike Hill in Rotherham, denies perverting the course of justice.

The court heard Wright was a "collector of things", including musical instruments, old farm machinery and antique firearms.

Wright told the court he and his brother John had a keen interest in organised shoots, saying the use of a shotgun was "a family thing".

The prosecution previously described Wright as a "weapons fanatic", who kept an illegal stash including shotguns, knives, bows and arrows.

They alleged Wright became "greatly angered" when Dyson stole one of his guns to sell on and killed him.

On Monday, the court heard Dyson had been living in his car at Wright's Parkside Cottage in Sheffield Road, often helping him out with various jobs like cutting hedges and driving him to hospital appointments.

He said Dyson would often come and go with no real pattern and sometimes leave the farm for several days for other jobs in the area.

Wright said the last time he saw Dyson was on 17 November 2019, on a day he described as "nothing unusual whatsoever".

He said Dyson had been sleeping in his car until tea time before leaving to go to the shop.

"He didn't come back for a while, he came back much later that night, around 11ish," said Wright.

Wright said he heard the vehicle come down the drive, so "nipped out", and offered Dyson a cup of tea after he had parked up.

However, he said Dyson declined before walking up the drive.

"I lost sight of him because it was pitch black, I heard a vehicle noise and it pull away," Wright recalled.

"I just stopped to think 'where the hell is he going this time of night?' but then I went in."

Asked by defence barrister David Brooke KC if he ever saw Dyson again after that, Wright replied "no".

The court heard Wright called his friend Schwalbe several times between 16 and 17 November, with some calls logged late at night.

Wright told the court he had called Schwalbe because he had been concerned about his diabetes.

Schwalbe was diagnosed with diabetes in December 2019, the court heard, but Wright claimed the two had discussed his health and symptoms weeks prior to that.

"The prosecution is saying something had happened and you were calling Karl Schwalbe and he came to your rescue. Is that true?" Brooke asked Wright.

To which Wright replied "no". He also denied Schwalbe came to the property at all that night.

The trial continues.

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