This article is from the source 'guardian' and was first published or seen on . It last changed over 40 days ago and won't be checked again for changes.

You can find the current article at its original source at http://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2015/nov/11/becky-watts-stepbrother-nathan-matthews-guilty-murder

The article has changed 5 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 0 Version 1
Becky Watts murder: Nathan Matthews found guilty Becky Watts murder: Nathan Matthews found guilty
(34 minutes later)
The stepbrother of Becky Watts has been found guilty of the brutal, sexually motivated murder of the Bristol teenager.The stepbrother of Becky Watts has been found guilty of the brutal, sexually motivated murder of the Bristol teenager.
Related: Nathan Matthews and Shauna Hoare: dark fantasies became realityRelated: Nathan Matthews and Shauna Hoare: dark fantasies became reality
Nathan Matthews, 28, went to 16-year-old Becky’s home equipped with a “kidnap kit” including stun-guns and handcuffs. He suffocated her in her bedroom and and stabbed her in the abdomen 15 times after her death. Nathan Matthews, 28, went to 16-year-old Becky’s home equipped with a “kidnap kit” including stun guns and handcuffs. He suffocated her in her bedroom and stabbed her in the abdomen 15 times after her death.
His partner, Shauna Hoare, was acquitted of the murder after telling the jury that she too was a victim of Matthews and over the years had been controlled by him through physical and psychological abuse. She was found guilty of manslaughter. His partner, Shauna Hoare, was acquitted of the murder after telling the jury that she too was a victim of Matthews and over the years had been controlled by him through physical and psychological abuse. She was found guilty of manslaughter and of being involved in the dismembering and concealing of Becky’s body.
The pair were also convicted of conspiracy to kidnap Becky, perverting the course of justice and preventing a lawful burial. James Ireland and Donovan Demetrius were acquitted of assisting an offender.The pair were also convicted of conspiracy to kidnap Becky, perverting the course of justice and preventing a lawful burial. James Ireland and Donovan Demetrius were acquitted of assisting an offender.
The jury at Bristol crown court heard that after the murder, Matthews, a former soldier in the Territorial Army, took Becky’s body back to the house he shared with Hoare, dismembered it with a circular saw, packed the remains in plastic and preservative and hid them in a garden shed.The jury at Bristol crown court heard that after the murder, Matthews, a former soldier in the Territorial Army, took Becky’s body back to the house he shared with Hoare, dismembered it with a circular saw, packed the remains in plastic and preservative and hid them in a garden shed.
Packages containing Becky’s eight body parts were stored in suitcases and a box, then moved into the shed in Barton Court in the early hours of 24 February. By that time, Avon and Somerset police had launched their largest missing person investigation, which culminated in Becky’s remains being discovered on 3 March.
Matthews had a sexual interest in “petite” teenage girls and “threesomes”, the court heard. Analysis of phones and computers revealed his fascination with pornography showing teenagers, sometimes dressed as schoolgirls.Matthews had a sexual interest in “petite” teenage girls and “threesomes”, the court heard. Analysis of phones and computers revealed his fascination with pornography showing teenagers, sometimes dressed as schoolgirls.
A serious case review is to be held to investigate the contacts Becky, Matthews and Hoare had with the authorities. Becky once told a child psychologist that she was frightened of Matthews while her stepbrother sought help for mental health issues and was frustrated at what he saw as a lack of help. Matthews bowed his head as the verdicts were returned. Hoare stared straight ahead but later dabbed tears from her eyes. There were gasps and cries of “Yes” from the public gallery and Becky’s father, Darren, and Matthews’s mother, Anjie, sobbed.
The jury took just three hours and 27 minutes to return their verdicts following the month-long trial. Matthews had admitted dismembering and hiding Becky’s body and possessing two stun guns. He and Hoare will be sentenced on Thursday or Friday.
A serious case review is to be held to investigate the contacts Becky, Matthews and Hoare had with the authorities. Becky once told a child psychologist that she was frightened of Matthews, while her stepbrother sought help for mental health issues and was frustrated at what he saw as a lack of help.
Matthews and Hoare, who was in and out of care as a child and pregnant at the time of the killing, began their relationship when she was only 14 or 15 and he was in his early 20s.Matthews and Hoare, who was in and out of care as a child and pregnant at the time of the killing, began their relationship when she was only 14 or 15 and he was in his early 20s.
The police may also come under pressure to explain why it took so long for them to establish what had happened to Becky, who vanished from her home on 19 February. It was a week before police found her blood on the door frame of her bedroom and 12 days before her remains were discovered. The police may also come under pressure to explain why it took so long for them to establish what had happened to Becky, who vanished from her home on 19 February. It was a week before police found her blood on the doorframe of her bedroom and 12 days before her remains were discovered.
Matthews’ conviction is also bound to reignite the debate over whether the use of pornography, especially focused on teenagers, leads some people to violence. Matthews’s conviction is also bound to reignite the debate over whether the use of pornography, especially focused on teenagers, leads some people to violence.
More details soon ... The judge, Mr Justice Dingemans, told the jury they were entitled to be present when the pair are sentenced on Friday. He said they would be excused from ever serving on a jury again.
Friends and family of Becky, including her best friend, Courtney Bicker, her grandfather John Galsworthy, uncle Sam Galsworthy and brother Daniel Watts, sat in the public gallery wearing blue ribbons.