Adopted son in plot to kill parents.

A MAN conspired to kill his parents with a friend he met on the internet, a court heard.

Christopher Monks, 24, of Chorley, Lancashire, wanted his adopted parents, 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.

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 went on: "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," he said.

Skarnes was standing over him with the knife.

The case continues.