A father-of-three found murdered in a Halesowen graveyard had suffered “colossal” head injuries after being battered with a metal object “several” times, a jury heard today.

Stuart Alsop, aged 40, of Worcester House, Hill Street, Halesowen, denies murdering Paul Hadley, whose body was discovered in the grounds of St John the Baptist Church.

Opening the murder trial at Wolverhampton Crown Court, prosecuting barrister Mr Richard Latham QC told the jury Mr Hadley, aged 40, of Islington, Halesowen won about £1,000 at BetFred bookies the weekend before his death.

“Some witnesses were concerned he was flashing the cash,” he said. “He went into at least one bar and was buying people drinks from a roll of cash.”

Mr Latham said: “He suffered colossal head injuries which must have been inflicted by several blows from a heavy metal object or objects. He was taken totally by surprise and had no time to defend himself,” Mr Latham told the jury.

“Whoever killed him did something that was wholly unjustified. His assailant must have intended at the time to kill him or cause him really serious injury.”

Mr Latham said Mr Hadley’s body was discovered by a man taking a short cut to work through the graveyard at about 7.30am on November 19, 2008.

Tony Jones found the body near the war memorial. He said: “As he came to the part of the footpath near the war memorial he noticed a body alongside a tomb a few feet from the pathway. Mr Jones called 999.”

Around 10 members of Mr Hadley’s family attended court. The trial continues.

* A woman found dead at a house in Netherton has been named by police. Yasmin Akhtar, who was 24, was discovered at an address in Purlin Wharf. A man in his 20s was arrested on suspicion of murder and was being questioned today.