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Helen Bailey murder trial: Police found body 'with garden hoe' Helen Bailey murder trial: Accused 'grinned' at officers
(about 2 hours later)
A police sergeant has described to a jury the moment he discovered the body of children's author Helen Bailey. The man accused of murdering children's author Helen Bailey "grinned" when questioned by police, a court heard.
Ms Bailey, 51, was found dead in a cesspit under the garage of her home in Royston, Hertfordshire, in July. She had been missing for three months.Ms Bailey, 51, was found dead in a cesspit under the garage of her home in Royston, Hertfordshire, in July. She had been missing for three months.
Her partner Ian Stewart, 56, denies murder.Her partner Ian Stewart, 56, denies murder.
Sgt Stephen Oliphant told St Albans Crown Court that he prodded the surface of the cesspit with a garden hoe and the body floated to the top. Det Con Hollie Daines, who interviewed him at the Royston home, said: "It was odd when he appeared to turn his head to the side and look at us and grin."
LIVE: Updates on this and other stories from HertfordshireLIVE: Updates on this and other stories from Hertfordshire
He said a six to nine inch (15 to 23cm) crust had formed on the top. She said he had refused to be interviewed at the first attempt on 21 April, claiming to be "feeling unwell" and he "couldn't be bothered".
"I prodded and poked the crust. Cracks formed and I realised I was hitting a different object that felt slightly softer. "He seemed quite blasé and non-committal," Ms Daines told St Albans Crown Court.
"I pushed the object into the water and realised it was an arm of a body. When he was interviewed the following day, she said he was "really anxious", "restless" and was "pacing around" while the property was searched.
"The body was beneath the crust initially. Solid matter was moved away and the body came to the surface," he said. Earlier Sgt Stephen Oliphant told the court how he had prodded the surface of the cesspit with a garden hoe and the body floated to the top.
"I realised I was hitting a different object that felt slightly softer.
"Solid matter was moved away and the body came to the surface," he said.
The body of Ms Bailey and her dog Boris were recovered three months after Mr Stewart had reported her missing.The body of Ms Bailey and her dog Boris were recovered three months after Mr Stewart had reported her missing.
It is alleged she was killed on 11 April.It is alleged she was killed on 11 April.
Earlier Sgt Nicole Goodyear told the court Mr Stewart followed police "everywhere" during a search on 15 April. Sgt Nicole Goodyear told the court Mr Stewart followed police "everywhere" during a search on 15 April.
She said: "He was very interested in what we were doing, he wanted to know what we were doing and why."She said: "He was very interested in what we were doing, he wanted to know what we were doing and why."
Sgt Goodyear added: "Everything we did was questioned and he was there watching every single move.
"He was almost right on top of me, shoulder-length away."
Mr Stewart also denies preventing a lawful burial, fraud and three counts of perverting the course of justice.Mr Stewart also denies preventing a lawful burial, fraud and three counts of perverting the course of justice.
The trial continues.The trial continues.