This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It will not be checked again for changes.
You can find the current article at its original source at http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/rss/-/1/hi/england/cornwall/6172950.stm
The article has changed 13 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.
| Version 9 | Version 10 |
|---|---|
| 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, will serve a minimum of 30 years. The court heard he killed Mrs Bowditch just a week after being released from jail. | 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. | Mr Justice Owen said he showed a "chilling attitude" towards his victim. |
| 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' | 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. | Chester-Nash was released on 5 October last year from Pentonville Prison after serving a sentence for burglary. |
| 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. | 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. |
| The mother-of-two was stabbed nine times | 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 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 lied about why Mrs Bowditch's blood was on his shoe. | 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. |
| During the trial, prosecutor Geoffrey Mercer QC said Chester-Nash had a "fascination for knives". | During the trial, prosecutor Geoffrey Mercer QC said Chester-Nash had a "fascination for knives". |
| On the day of the murder Chester-Nash was arrested at Truro railway station on suspicion of stealing a sandwich. | 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 | 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. | 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. |
| Chester-Nash was subject to an anti social behaviour order, an Asbo, restricting his movements. | Chester-Nash was subject to an anti social behaviour order, an Asbo, restricting his movements. |
| Mr George said: "Someone, something or some part of the system failed in this case and Jean Bowditch has paid for that failure with her life." | |
| The Home Office said the handling of the case was being reviewed and a series of recommendations would be developed as a result. | The Home Office said the handling of the case was being reviewed and a series of recommendations would be developed as a result. |