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Helen Bailey: Author 'drugged and suffocated' Helen Bailey: Author 'murdered by partner for money'
(35 minutes later)
Children's author Helen Bailey was secretly drugged by her partner for a number of months before he suffocated her and buried her body in a cesspit, a court has heard. Children's author Helen Bailey was secretly drugged by her partner before being killed in a "cynically executed murder that had money as its driving motive", a court has heard.
The 51-year-old's body was found in the grounds of her home in Royston, Hertfordshire, in July. She had been missing since 11 April. The 51-year-old's body was found in a cesspit in the grounds of her home in Royston, Hertfordshire, in July, having been missing since 11 April.
Her partner Ian Stewart, 56, denies murder. Her partner Ian Stewart, who she was due to marry, suffocated her and dumped her in the pit, a jury was told.
They were engaged and were planning a wedding to take place "imminently". Mr Stewart, 56, denies murder.
St Albans Crown Court heard the couple had met online following the death of Ms Bailey's husband, John Sinfield in 2011, and moved in together a year after they met, buying the house in Royston for around £1.5m. The author, who created the Electra Brown series for teenagers, was worth "approaching £4m", St Albans Crown Court heard.
The couple had met online following the death of Ms Bailey's husband, John Sinfield in 2011, and moved in together a year later, buying the house in Royston together for around £1.5m.
More on this and other news from HertfordshireMore on this and other news from Hertfordshire
Prosecutors told the jury they had made arrangements for Mr Stewart to obtain the house and "substantial financial advantage" in the event of Ms Bailey's death before the wedding. Prosecutors told the jury they had made arrangements for Mr Stewart to obtain the house and "substantial financial advantage" in the event of Ms Bailey's death before the wedding - which was due to take place "imminently".
Stuart Trimmer QC, prosecuting, said Mr Stewart had been giving Ms Bailey sleeping pills for several months before killing her on 11 April 2016. Stuart Trimmer QC, said, it was "a long-planned, deliberate killing, a cynically executed murder that had money as its driving motive."
He told the jury Mr Stewart had been giving Northumberland-born Ms Bailey sleeping pills for several months, before killing her on 11 April 2016.
He "killed her, probably by suffocation whilst she was sedated by the drugs he administered", Mr Trimmer said.He "killed her, probably by suffocation whilst she was sedated by the drugs he administered", Mr Trimmer said.
A drug used to treat insomnia, Zoplicone, was found in her system, which had been prescribed to Mr Stewart, the court was told.A drug used to treat insomnia, Zoplicone, was found in her system, which had been prescribed to Mr Stewart, the court was told.
The trial continues. Ms Bailey was last seen walking her dog Boris, a miniature Dachshund, near her home on 11 April.
Mr Stewart reported her missing four days later.
Her body was found three months later alongside that of the dog, in the pit beneath the garage.
Jurors are expected to visit the couple's home later this week.
As well as murder, Mr Stewart is also charged with fraud, preventing lawful burial and three counts of perverting the course of justice.
He has denied all six charges.
The trial, expected to last seven weeks, continues.