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Life in prison for cleaner killer Life in prison for cleaner killer
(30 minutes later)
A man with a fascination for knives has been jailed for life after being found guilty of murdering a cleaner.A man with a fascination for 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, will serve a minimum of 30 years. The court heard he killed Mrs Bowditch just a week after being released from jail.
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.
Violent crimes like this cast a shadow over a family which will never, ever be removed Mr Justice Owen Tribute to 'fantastic wife'
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.
Violent crimes like this cast a shadow over a family which will never, ever be removed Mr Justice Owen Tribute to 'fantastic wife'
"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.
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 court was told it was clear he intended to burgle the bungalow 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". The mother-of-two was stabbed nine times
The court heard that days before the killing the defendant told a girl he met that a stolen knife in his possession "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 lied about why Mrs Bowditch's blood was on his shoe.
The court heard Chester-Nash had gone to burgle the bungalowDuring 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 had a "fascination for knives".
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 was arrested at Truro railway station on suspicion of stealing a sandwich.
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."
The court heard Chester-Nash had gone to burgle the bungalow
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.
After the case, West Cornwall MP Andrew George asked why there had not been restrictions on Chester-Nash who travelled to Cornwall the day after being released from prison on 5 October for burglary. After the case, West Cornwall MP Andrew George asked why there had not been restrictions on Chester-Nash who travelled to Cornwall the day after being released from prison.
He said authorities had known that Chester-Nash "presented a real and serious danger to others". He said authorities had known Chester-Nash "presented a real and serious danger to others".
He said: "The primary purpose of our penal system is public protection and not retribution. He said: "Someone, something or some part of the system failed in this case and Jean Bowditch has paid for that failure with her life."
"Someone, something or some part of the system failed in this case and Jean Bowditch has paid for that failure with her life." Mr George said he had raised questions about the case with Home Secretary John Reid, and would pursue it further.
Mr George said he had raised questions about the case with Home Secretary John Reid, and would "pursue these issues further with Home Office ministers".