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Becky Watts murder: accused pair fled to estranged mother's house, jury told Becky Watts murder: accused pair fled to estranged mother's house, jury told
(35 minutes later)
The pair accused of kidnapping and murdering Bristol teenager Becky Watt’s fled to a parent’s house despite not having spoken to them for years following a family fallout, a court heard. The pair accused of kidnapping and murdering Bristol teenager Becky Watts fled to a parent’s house despite not having spoken to them for years following a family fallout, a court heard.
After the killing, Nathan Matthews and Shauna Hoare were said to have visited her mother, Lisa Donovan, who was surprised the pair had turned up out of the blue and jokingly asked if they were on the run from police because they had kidnapped 16-year-old Becky.After the killing, Nathan Matthews and Shauna Hoare were said to have visited her mother, Lisa Donovan, who was surprised the pair had turned up out of the blue and jokingly asked if they were on the run from police because they had kidnapped 16-year-old Becky.
Giving evidence for the prosecution, Donovan said Hoare was only 14 when Matthews, who is seven years older, began a relationship with her. She described him as very flirty, sexually orientated, domineering and when Hoare asked him for anything he would say she would have do him a “sexual favour” in return. Giving evidence for the prosecution, Donovan said Hoare was only 14 when Matthews, who is seven years older, began a relationship with her. She described him as very flirtacious, sexually orientated and domineering, and when Hoare asked him for anything he would say she would have do him a “sexual favour” in return.
Matthews, 28, and Hoare, 21, are accused of conspiring to kidnap Becky and murdering her in her bedroom. The couple allegedly took the body back to their house where they dismembered it and hid the remains in a neighbour’s shed.Matthews, 28, and Hoare, 21, are accused of conspiring to kidnap Becky and murdering her in her bedroom. The couple allegedly took the body back to their house where they dismembered it and hid the remains in a neighbour’s shed.
A postmortem found Becky was suffocated, struck in the neck with a screwdriver and, after she died, stabbed 15 times in the abdomen, the jury heard. Matthews and Hoare are said to have had a shared interest in kidnapping and sex with petite, teenage girls.A postmortem found Becky was suffocated, struck in the neck with a screwdriver and, after she died, stabbed 15 times in the abdomen, the jury heard. Matthews and Hoare are said to have had a shared interest in kidnapping and sex with petite, teenage girls.
The prosecution said Becky died on 19 February and the couple spent the next three days cutting up her body, packaging it and cleaning their house.The prosecution said Becky died on 19 February and the couple spent the next three days cutting up her body, packaging it and cleaning their house.
On 23 February – four days after Becky was killed – Hoare rang her mother and asked if she, Matthews and their child could visit. Hoare had not seen her mother for as long as five years following a row over a car. The jury at Bristol crown court was told that when they fell out Matthews had told Donovan that Hoare would never talk to her again. On 23 February – four days after Becky was killed – Hoare rang her mother and asked if she, Matthews and their child could and visit. Hoare had not seen her mother for as long as five years following a row over a car. The jury at Bristol crown court was told that when they fell out Matthews had told Donovan that Hoare would never talk to her again.
Matthews and Hoare arrived at her mother’s home, five miles from the house she shared with Matthews, stayed until late that night and repeatedly visited over the coming days as the search for Becky intensified. Donovan, a mother-of-eight, said she wondered if they were on the run because they were in debt. But on one occasion she “jokingly” suggested that they were responsible for Becky’s disappearance.Matthews and Hoare arrived at her mother’s home, five miles from the house she shared with Matthews, stayed until late that night and repeatedly visited over the coming days as the search for Becky intensified. Donovan, a mother-of-eight, said she wondered if they were on the run because they were in debt. But on one occasion she “jokingly” suggested that they were responsible for Becky’s disappearance.
She told the jury: “I said: ‘I know why you are at my house all the time. You are running away from the police because you have kidnapped Becky.” Hoare simply replied: “No.”She told the jury: “I said: ‘I know why you are at my house all the time. You are running away from the police because you have kidnapped Becky.” Hoare simply replied: “No.”
Donovan, who was given permission to give evidence from behind a screen, partly because of the publicity the case is generating, said Hoare seemed “quite down” and Matthews was “very controlling”.Donovan, who was given permission to give evidence from behind a screen, partly because of the publicity the case is generating, said Hoare seemed “quite down” and Matthews was “very controlling”.
She said her daughter “doted” on Matthews but he did not dote on her. She said that after they fell out, Matthews took measures to make sure she did not know where they lived. She had never seen Matthews and Hoare’s child – her grandchild – until they suddenly made contact in February.She said her daughter “doted” on Matthews but he did not dote on her. She said that after they fell out, Matthews took measures to make sure she did not know where they lived. She had never seen Matthews and Hoare’s child – her grandchild – until they suddenly made contact in February.
Matthews told police he equipped himself with a stun gun, handcuffs and mask and went to Becky’s home intending to “teach her a lesson” because he believed she was selfish and treated his mother badly. He claimed he had pounced on her wearing a mask but it slipped as he struggled so he strangled her. He said Hoare knew nothing of the killing or the aftermath.Matthews told police he equipped himself with a stun gun, handcuffs and mask and went to Becky’s home intending to “teach her a lesson” because he believed she was selfish and treated his mother badly. He claimed he had pounced on her wearing a mask but it slipped as he struggled so he strangled her. He said Hoare knew nothing of the killing or the aftermath.
The court has seen footage of Matthews buying a circular saw at a DIY store the day after the killing The court has seen footage of Matthews buying a circular saw at a DIY store the day after the killing.
Matthews admits manslaughter of Becky, dismembering her body and possessing two stun guns. He denies conspiracy to kidnap and murder. Hoare denies any involvement in the plot to kidnap, the murder or the aftermath.Matthews admits manslaughter of Becky, dismembering her body and possessing two stun guns. He denies conspiracy to kidnap and murder. Hoare denies any involvement in the plot to kidnap, the murder or the aftermath.
The trial continues.The trial continues.