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Helen Bailey's fiance told police they would 'find nothing in garage' Helen Bailey's fiance told police they would 'find nothing in garage'
(about 7 hours later)
The fiance of the children’s author Helen Bailey told police they would not find anything in the garage where her body was eventually discovered, a court has heard.The fiance of the children’s author Helen Bailey told police they would not find anything in the garage where her body was eventually discovered, a court has heard.
Ian Stewart, 56, is accused of drugging and murdering the Electra Brown writer at their house last April in a crime motivated by money.Ian Stewart, 56, is accused of drugging and murdering the Electra Brown writer at their house last April in a crime motivated by money.
After three months of searches, she was found dumped in a cesspit underneath the grounds of the £1.5m property, alongside her dachshund Boris. After three months of searches, she was found dumped in a septic tank underneath the grounds of the £1.5m property, alongside her dachshund Boris.
The trial at St Albans crown court heard Stewart told officers wanting to search his home, including the garage, they were better looking through the house. The trial at St Albans crown court heard Stewart told officers wanting to search his home, including the garage, they were better off looking through the house.
He also suggested he did not “want to be” with his missing bride-to-be if she was to return, the jury were told.He also suggested he did not “want to be” with his missing bride-to-be if she was to return, the jury were told.
According to a statement from DC Hollie Daines, read to the court by the prosecutor Stuart Trimmer, Stewart said: “If searches are going to take place, you wouldn’t find anything in the garage. If anything, the devices will be in the house.”
Detectives had told the defendant on 18 May they wanted to search the house for electronic devices and sim cards.Detectives had told the defendant on 18 May they wanted to search the house for electronic devices and sim cards.
According to a statement from DC Hollie Daines, read to the court by the prosecutor Stuart Trimmer, Stewart said: “If searches are going to take place, you wouldn’t find anything in the garage. If anything, the devices will be in the house.”
Stewart, of Royston in Hertfordshire, denies charges of murder, preventing a lawful burial, fraud and three counts of perverting the course of justice.Stewart, of Royston in Hertfordshire, denies charges of murder, preventing a lawful burial, fraud and three counts of perverting the course of justice.
When they arrived, Daines said she overheard Stewart saying to someone that he “wasn’t good” and he told her he had considered suicide. She said: “He appeared to be anxious and uncomfortable with what we were asking of him.”When they arrived, Daines said she overheard Stewart saying to someone that he “wasn’t good” and he told her he had considered suicide. She said: “He appeared to be anxious and uncomfortable with what we were asking of him.”
According to another statement read to the court, he said: “If Helen does come back, I don’t think I want to be with her any more.”According to another statement read to the court, he said: “If Helen does come back, I don’t think I want to be with her any more.”
The jury heard that the defendant refused to consent to a full search that day, but took officers around specific locations, including the garage.The jury heard that the defendant refused to consent to a full search that day, but took officers around specific locations, including the garage.
Jurors were told Stewart had confided in a psychiatric nurse that he had come “very close” to killing himself.Jurors were told Stewart had confided in a psychiatric nurse that he had come “very close” to killing himself.
On the day of Bailey’s disappearance, he claimed he found a note from her saying she had gone to her cottage in Broadstairs, Kent.On the day of Bailey’s disappearance, he claimed he found a note from her saying she had gone to her cottage in Broadstairs, Kent.
He told the nurse that, after he visited the property, he considered throwing himself off the cliffs there, the court heard.He told the nurse that, after he visited the property, he considered throwing himself off the cliffs there, the court heard.
Sarah Tooley, a mental health worker, told jurors: “He had stated that he was now back in Hertfordshire, he was reflecting on his time in Broadstairs and stated he had come very close to killing himself while he was there, but his father had been very supportive and he was back tidying up personal affairs and feeling better with himself.” Sarah Tooley, a mental-health worker, told jurors: “He had stated that he was now back in Hertfordshire, he was reflecting on his time in Broadstairs and stated he had come very close to killing himself while he was there, but his father had been very supportive and he was back tidying up personal affairs and feeling better with himself.”
The defendant had referred himself to mental health services over concerns about his state of mind.The defendant had referred himself to mental health services over concerns about his state of mind.
He told Tooley he could not “remember anything” and he was asked if he had considered hurting himself.He told Tooley he could not “remember anything” and he was asked if he had considered hurting himself.
She said: “His response was that he hadn’t but he was questioning whether self-harm would help him remember events he was struggling to put together.”She said: “His response was that he hadn’t but he was questioning whether self-harm would help him remember events he was struggling to put together.”
The trial continues.The trial continues.