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| Helen Bailey: Author 'murdered by partner for money' | Helen Bailey: Author 'murdered by partner for money' |
| (35 minutes later) | |
| 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. | 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 a cesspit in the grounds of her home in Royston, Hertfordshire, in July, having 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, who she was due to marry, suffocated her and dumped her in the pit, a jury was told. | Her partner Ian Stewart, who she was due to marry, suffocated her and dumped her in the pit, a jury was told. |
| Mr Stewart, 56, denies murder. | Mr Stewart, 56, denies murder. |
| The author, who created the Electra Brown series for teenagers, was worth "approaching £4m", St Albans Crown Court heard. | The author, who created the Electra Brown series for teenagers, was worth "approaching £4m", St Albans Crown Court heard. |
| More on this and other news from Hertfordshire | More on this and other news from Hertfordshire |
| 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. | |
| 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". | 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, said, it was "a long-planned, deliberate killing, a cynically executed murder that had money as its driving motive." | Stuart Trimmer QC, said, it was "a long-planned, deliberate killing, a cynically executed murder that had money as its driving motive." |
| The court heard in the hours after killing her, Mr Stewart had amended a monthly standing order from Ms Bailey's account into his from £600 to £4,000. | |
| On her death, he would benefit to the sum of "£1.8m in addition to the sum of the main Royston house and the second home in Broadstairs", Mr Trimmer said. | |
| 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 told the jury Mr Stewart had been giving Northumberland-born Ms Bailey sleeping pills for several months, before killing her on 11 April 2016. |
| Records show the author had been Googling: "Why do I keep falling asleep?". | |
| Mr Stewart "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. |
| Ms Bailey was reportedly last seen walking her dog Boris, a miniature Dachshund, near her home on 11 April. | |
| Mr Stewart reported her missing four days later. | Mr Stewart reported her missing four days later. |
| He then joined in searches and appeals to find his partner, despite knowing her body was in the cesspit, the prosecution alleged. | |
| Mr Trimmer said: "The whole course of conduct [was] designed to deceive the police and the local community… into believing that she had just left home." | |
| Ms Bailey's 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. | 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. | 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. | He has denied all six charges. |
| The trial, expected to last seven weeks, continues. | The trial, expected to last seven weeks, continues. |