A MECHANIC took just half an hour to murder his cousin's estranged husband, a court heard.

CCTV footage caught Carl Hodgkiss arriving at the home of Marc Jepson at 11.07pm on Tuesday, March 4.

At 11.38pm he left the house in Kildaire Street, Farnworth, having strangled Mr Jepson in the intervening period, the prosecution claimed.

The court heard that Mr Jepson had separated from wife Sandra Jepson, cousin of Carl Hodgkiss, in September, 2011 and a bitter family dispute had ensued.

Mr Jepson had once been a friend of Carl Hodgkiss, but he sided with Mrs Jepson in the row.

Mrs Jepson's mother Irene Hodgkiss is accused of plotting the murder with Carl.

More footage showed Carl running to his mother's house after leaving Kildaire Street on the night of Mr Jepson's death.

Several text messages were read out in court which were between Mrs Jepson and Irene Hodgkiss.

One from the latter said she had a “dark alley” in mind for Mr Jepson while another, written by Mrs Jepson said: “My mum just wants to go round Jeps’ house with a baseball bat lol.”

Police and paramedics found that Mr Jepson, a general handyman, had been strangled with such force that his voice box and a bone in his neck had been fractured.

Mr Jepson was also found to have bruising and several wounds to his chest and legs, including one stab wound which had gone into and out of his thigh.

Irene Hodgkiss told police in interview that she had simply told Carl to give Mr Jepson, aged 40 when he died, “a couple of slaps” and he told her he had done that when he came to her house.

Carl Hodgkiss is charged with the murder of Mr Jepson and conspiring to kill him and commit GBH.

Irene Hodgkiss, aged 63, of Firwood Avenue, Farnworth, is accused of the latter two charges.

All charges are denied.

The trial continues.