A SON plotted to kill his adoptive parents with a friend he met on the internet, a court heard.

Christopher Monks, 24, formerly of Preston Road, Clayton-le-Woods, Chorley, wanted Christopher and Elizabeth Monks dead because they were over-protective and treated him like a child, Preston Crown Court was told.

It is alleged Monks conspired with Shaun Skarnes, 19, of Ellesmere Port, Merseyside, the man he met on the internet, to murder the pair at the family home.

Dennis Watson QC, prosecuting, said: "Monks did not feel able to kill them himself and needed someone else to do it for him."

The defendants agreed via messages on the MSN instant messenger website for Skarnes to visit the house in Preston Road, Clayton-le-Woods, on February 7 this year while Mr and Mrs Monks were out shopping.

When the couple returned during the afternoon they saw the pair playing computer games together and were unaware that in fact Monks had shown his accomplice thoroughly around the house in preparation for the murders, the court heard.

Mr Watson said: "Skarnes went through a charade where he pretended to leave."

In fact, Mr Watson said, he waited nearby so he could return after the couple had gone to bed.

The prosecutor added: "Monks then let Skarnes back in and provided him with a knife. Rolls of duct tape had been prepared to use as gags.

"The plan was first to kill Mr Monks upstairs and then Mrs Monks, who slept downstairs.

"It was a plan which was interrupted when Mr Monks woke up."

Skarnes had crept into his bedroom and was standing over him with the knife when he was disturbed, the court heard.

A struggle ensued, the pair grappled on the bed and Mr Monks screamed for help from his wife, the jury was told.

Mrs Monks raised the alarm and then went upstairs where she hit Skarnes with a stick which broke off but she eventually managed to calm him down as she reasoned and talked to him, Mr Watson said.

The jury was told Monks sat in his room downstairs throughout the episode.

Police arrived shortly after and Skarnes was arrested at the scene, the court heard.

The court was told Monks faced "various challenges" in life after suffering from dyslexia.

Mr Watson said: "His parents, particularly his mum, were very protective of him. This had the effect of Christopher Monks regarding his parents as being over-protective."

He complained of his privacy being infringed by his parents and that he felt "trapped in a cage".

Mr Watson said Mr and Mrs Monks were aware their son was bisexual but did not know about a "very different life" he was leading.

He and Skarnes, who was also bisexual, had met through an online community called Furries where members would take on the identities of animals.

Mr Watson said: "Some Furries have a sexual interest in animals.

"Monks had such a sexual interest."

Skarnes and Monks both deny conspiracy to murder Mr and Mrs Monks.

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