Canals deaths: man stands trial- John Sweeney, 54, denies murdering Paula Fields in 2001, and Melissa Halstead in 1990

Published: 03 March 2011
by JAMIE WELHAM

THE trial of a construction worker who denies murdering two women whose dismembered bodies were recovered from canals in Camden Town and Holland has started.

John Sweeney, 54, appeared before Mr Justice Saunders at the Old Bailey yesterday (Wednesday) and waited as 18 potential jurors, from which 12 will be selected to serve, were called.

The trial is expected to last six weeks following his arrest on April 26 last year.

Sweeney, of Charteris Road, Finsbury Park, who also has an address in Kentish Town, denies murdering Paula Fields, 31, of Highbury Grove, whose body parts were found in six holdalls dredged from the Regent’s Canal by St Pancras Way in February 2001. 

He also denies the murder of model Melissa Halstead, 33, whose remains were recovered from the Westersingel canal in Amsterdam 10 years earlier in 1990. 

Brian Altman QC is due to outline the Crown’s case against Sweeney when he speaks in court today (Thursday).

Leading criminal QC Michael Wood appears for the defence.

The trial continues.