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Life in prison for cleaner killer Life in prison for cleaner killer
(10 minutes later)
A man with a fascination with knives has been jailed for life after being found guilty of murdering a cleaner.A man with a fascination with knives has been jailed for life after being found guilty of murdering a cleaner.
Gary Chester-Nash had denied stabbing 59-year-old Jean Bowditch nine times as she cleaned a bungalow in Carbis Bay, Cornwall, in October 2005.Gary Chester-Nash had denied stabbing 59-year-old Jean Bowditch nine times as she cleaned a bungalow in Carbis Bay, Cornwall, in October 2005.
The 28-year-old, of no fixed address, was told he would have to serve a minimum of 30 years.The 28-year-old, of no fixed address, was told he would have to serve a minimum of 30 years.
Mr Justice Owen said he showed a "chilling attitude" towards his victim and was "an extremely dangerous man".Mr Justice Owen said he showed a "chilling attitude" towards his victim and was "an extremely dangerous man".
Violent crimes like this cast a shadow over a family which will never, ever be removed Mr Justice OwenViolent crimes like this cast a shadow over a family which will never, ever be removed Mr Justice Owen
He told Truro Crown Court Mrs Bowditch was a "wholly innocent victim" who tragically crossed paths with him.He told Truro Crown Court Mrs Bowditch was a "wholly innocent victim" who tragically crossed paths with him.
"You displayed chilling arrogance, clearly believing you were beyond the law and were able to outwit the police," the judge said."You displayed chilling arrogance, clearly believing you were beyond the law and were able to outwit the police," the judge said.
"You are an extremely dangerous man.""You are an extremely dangerous man."
Chester-Nash was released on 5 October last year from Pentonville Prison after serving a sentence for burglary, and travelled to Cornwall the next day.Chester-Nash was released on 5 October last year from Pentonville Prison after serving a sentence for burglary, and travelled to Cornwall the next day.
The mother-of-two was stabbed nine timesThe court was told it was clear that Chester-Nash had gone to the bungalow on 12 October intending to burgle it and had taken a knife, or knives, which he was prepared to use if the need arose.The mother-of-two was stabbed nine timesThe court was told it was clear that Chester-Nash had gone to the bungalow on 12 October intending to burgle it and had taken a knife, or knives, which he was prepared to use if the need arose.
He then stabbed Mrs Bowditch nine times as she cleaned the bungalow in Wayside, and left her to die in a pool of blood.He then stabbed Mrs Bowditch nine times as she cleaned the bungalow in Wayside, and left her to die in a pool of blood.
Just days before the killing the court heard the defendant told a girl he met that one of the knives in his possession, stolen from a boat in Penzance, "would be good to kill someone with".Just days before the killing the court heard the defendant told a girl he met that one of the knives in his possession, stolen from a boat in Penzance, "would be good to kill someone with".
The judge said Chester-Nash lied and lied, "twisting and turning" in an attempt to fabricate a story which would enable him to escape the consequences of his "murderous attack".The judge said Chester-Nash lied and lied, "twisting and turning" in an attempt to fabricate a story which would enable him to escape the consequences of his "murderous attack".
He even invented a fictional character he tried to pass off as the murderer and sought to explain blood on his shoe by saying he had lifted Mrs Bowditch's body and held a telephone to her mouth in an effort to exculpate him for the attack.He even invented a fictional character he tried to pass off as the murderer and sought to explain blood on his shoe by saying he had lifted Mrs Bowditch's body and held a telephone to her mouth in an effort to exculpate him for the attack.
Stealing sandwich
During the trial, prosecutor Geoffrey Mercer QC said Chester-Nash, a man with a "fascination for knives", killed Mrs Bowditch in a "horrific" attack.During the trial, prosecutor Geoffrey Mercer QC said Chester-Nash, a man with a "fascination for knives", killed Mrs Bowditch in a "horrific" attack.
On the day of the murder Chester-Nash left Carbis Bay and went to Truro, where he was arrested at the railway station by Pc Kevin Quick on suspicion of stealing a sandwich at St Erth earlier.On the day of the murder Chester-Nash left Carbis Bay and went to Truro, where he was arrested at the railway station by Pc Kevin Quick on suspicion of stealing a sandwich at St Erth earlier.
The judge said a victim assessment statement from Mrs Bowditch's husband Michael spoke of the "desolation" the family had suffered.The judge said a victim assessment statement from Mrs Bowditch's husband Michael spoke of the "desolation" the family had suffered.
It said: "Violent crimes like this cast a shadow over a family which will never, ever be removed."It said: "Violent crimes like this cast a shadow over a family which will never, ever be removed."
Chester-Nash was also sentenced to a total of two years' imprisonment for two burglaries he committed in Cornwall and the theft of a sandwich, which led to his arrest.Chester-Nash was also sentenced to a total of two years' imprisonment for two burglaries he committed in Cornwall and the theft of a sandwich, which led to his arrest.