Exclusive:"Weapons fanatic" murdered lodger and hid his remains in concrete-filled barrel for six years, jury told
“You might ultimately conclude that Mr Dyson bit the hand that fed or helped him, and thereafter was made to pay the ultimate price with his life”
A “weapons fanatic” murdered his lodger by shooting him dead, before dismembering him, and stashing his remains in a concrete-filled barrel on nearby farmland where it remained for six years, a jury has been told.
Richard Dyson was 55-years-old when he was last seen in November 2019, when he never appeared for a meet up with his daughter, Bethany.
A missing persons investigation was subsequently launched, and the search for Mr Dyson continued for several years, until July 14, 2025, when human remains were discovered on Broadcarr Road, Barnsley.
The remains were confirmed to be those of Mr Dyson.
Christopher Wright, now aged 73, of Sheffield Road, Hoyland, Barnsley, was subsequently charged with Mr Dyson’s murder, which he denies.
“Mr Dyson bit the hand that fed and was made to pay the ultimate price”
Opening the Crown’s case against Mr Wright today (Monday, June 15, 2026), prosecutor Peter Moulson KC said it is the Crown’s case that Mr Wright murdered Mr Dyson on the evening of November 17, 2019.
Moving to the possible motive for Mr Dyson’s murder, Mr Moulson told the jury of seven men and five women it may emerge that Mr Dyson had stolen some firearms from Mr Wright and sold them on.
“It may be that Wright would have been very angry about such thefts, and it may be that Wright’s motive for the murder of Mr Dyson arose out of those thefts,” Mr Moulson said.
He told Sheffield Crown Court that for several years prior to his death, Mr Dyson had been living and sleeping in one of his three vehicles which were parked at Mr Wright’s home address Parkside Cottage, Sheffield Road in Hoyland, Barnsley.
“Mr Dyson had lived in that way for several years,” Mr Moulson told the jury, adding: “You might ultimately conclude that Mr Dyson bit the hand that fed or helped him, and thereafter was made to pay the ultimate price with his life.”
“It is the Crown’s contention that the defendant Mr Wright was something of a weapons fanatic and collector of the same.“
“Found in searches of his house were numerous firearms, some antique some not, 10,000 rounds of ammunition and the devices to make more were discovered along with bows and arrows, knives and like items.“
“Therefore the theft by anyone including Dyson of any of his weapons would have been especially irritating to Mr Wright.”
Mr Dyson’s “neatly severed” remains were found inside a barrel filled with concrete, which was located on a trailer on farmland near to Mr Wright’s property in July 2025.
“The trailer had within it a name badge with Chris Wright written on it,” Mr Moulson said.
He added: “Further examination of the skeleton revealed that Mr Dyson had been shot, possibly more than once.”
Alleged pact between best friends after Mr Dyson’s death
Mr Moulson said it is the Crown’s case that after murdering Mr Dyson, Mr Wright sought - and was given - the assistance of Karl Schwable, his co-accused and best friend - who lived a short distance away.
Phone evidence allegedly shows a short phone conversation between the two men on the night Mr Dyson is alleged to have been murdered.
The jury were told they are set to be shown CCTV footage of what prosecutors claim is Mr Schwalbe’s Toyota Hilux vehicle arriving at Mr Wright’s property a short time later. He is alleged to have remained at Mr Wright’s property for around an hour.
Mr Moulson said: “Here having murdered Dyson, Wright rang his best friend of long standing, perhaps not as Wright was to claim to police to discuss his diabetes issues but for a very different form of assistance.
“Mr Schwalbe came quickly to the aid of his very long-term friend late that night in November 2019 and stayed for an hour.”
Two days after the alleged killing, Mr Wright’s bank card was used to purchase supplies from Allendales Building Supplies.
“You will recall concrete was in the barrel in the trailer along with Mr Dyson’s remains,” Mr Moulson said.
The next day, Mr Wright is alleged to have asked a farmer with land close to his if he could park a trailer there, containing the barrel that Mr Dyson’s remains were found in six years later.
“The pair of them, that is the killer and the man who went to his aid conspired together to mislead the police to try to defeat the police investigation of Mr Dyson into the death and disappearance of all traces of him…We submit they made a pact not to reveal any of these matters, ever.
“They embarked, say the Crown, upon a course of conduct relating to the disposal of the body and then lied about it for many years.
“After all, if we are correct, the plan worked for nearly six years.
“Those six years or so culminated in the discovery of Mr Dyson’s body in concrete in a barrel on a farm close to Wright and Schwalbe’s home address which had been moved there - we contend - three days after Dyson had gone missing.
“One day after Wright had gone to Allendale building merchants.”
Charges faced by the defendants
Mr Wright is accused of Mr Dyson’s murder, a charge of preventing a lawful burial, along with a number of weapons offences including possessing prohibited firearms, possessing firearms including a shotgun and ammunition without certificates.
Mr Wright and Mr Schwalbe, of Dike Hill, Harley, Rotherham, are both charged with perverting the course of justice.
The defendants deny the charges.
The trial, which is listed for seven more weeks, continues.