This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It last changed over 40 days ago and won't be checked again for changes.
You can find the current article at its original source at https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-beds-bucks-herts-48915558
The article has changed 5 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.
Version 1 | Version 2 |
---|---|
Joy Morgan: Missing student 'murdered by fellow churchgoer' | Joy Morgan: Missing student 'murdered by fellow churchgoer' |
(32 minutes later) | |
A midwifery student who has been missing since Boxing Day was murdered by a man who went to the same church in east London, a court heard. | A midwifery student who has been missing since Boxing Day was murdered by a man who went to the same church in east London, a court heard. |
Joy Morgan, 20, from Hatfield, was last seen on 26 December, but her body has never been found. | Joy Morgan, 20, from Hatfield, was last seen on 26 December, but her body has never been found. |
Jurors heard she attended the Israel United in Christ Church, in Ilford, along with Shohfah-El Israel - the man accused of killing her. | Jurors heard she attended the Israel United in Christ Church, in Ilford, along with Shohfah-El Israel - the man accused of killing her. |
Mr Israel, 40, denies murder, and is on trial at Reading Crown Court. | Mr Israel, 40, denies murder, and is on trial at Reading Crown Court. |
Opening the case, prosecutor Mark Fenhalls QC said the trial was "unlike many murder cases". | Opening the case, prosecutor Mark Fenhalls QC said the trial was "unlike many murder cases". |
He told jurors: "No friend, fellow student or family member has seen her. | |
"Her body is missing, but we say that all the available evidence will make you sure she is dead and that Israel is responsible." | |
'Clear social hierarchy' | 'Clear social hierarchy' |
The court heard Mr Israel, of Fordwych Road, Cricklewood, and his wife at the time, Chindu Nwankwo, who was also a member of the church, had "befriended" Ms Morgan. | The court heard Mr Israel, of Fordwych Road, Cricklewood, and his wife at the time, Chindu Nwankwo, who was also a member of the church, had "befriended" Ms Morgan. |
Mr Fenhalls said the church's teachings derive from Judaism. | Mr Fenhalls said the church's teachings derive from Judaism. |
It has 150 members and "a very particular and clear social hierarchy", he said. | It has 150 members and "a very particular and clear social hierarchy", he said. |
"The women have no ranks and are referred to as 'sisters'. The women are required to call the men 'sir'." | "The women have no ranks and are referred to as 'sisters'. The women are required to call the men 'sir'." |
Nobody from the church reported Ms Morgan missing, Mr Fenhalls told jurors. | Nobody from the church reported Ms Morgan missing, Mr Fenhalls told jurors. |
Ms Morgan was a second year student at the University of Hertfordshire. | Ms Morgan was a second year student at the University of Hertfordshire. |
She was described by Mr Fenhalls as a "positive young woman who had everything to live for". | She was described by Mr Fenhalls as a "positive young woman who had everything to live for". |
He told jurors that the church was "the centrepiece" of her life. | He told jurors that the church was "the centrepiece" of her life. |
Mr Fenhalls said: "She was a mainstay of the congregation, worshipping regularly and helping run the children's group. | Mr Fenhalls said: "She was a mainstay of the congregation, worshipping regularly and helping run the children's group. |
"She has not been seen there since Boxing Day last year. | "She has not been seen there since Boxing Day last year. |
"On 28 December her number was removed from a church social media chat group. | "On 28 December her number was removed from a church social media chat group. |
"There is no good reason why she wanted to leave her only known friends and the church. | "There is no good reason why she wanted to leave her only known friends and the church. |
"Israel must have been responsible in order to cover for her disappearance." | "Israel must have been responsible in order to cover for her disappearance." |
'Thoroughly dishonest' | 'Thoroughly dishonest' |
Ms Morgan was first reported missing on 7 February after her flatmates became concerned. | Ms Morgan was first reported missing on 7 February after her flatmates became concerned. |
Mr Israel became a suspect in the missing persons case and was arrested on the M25 near St Albans on 9 February. | Mr Israel became a suspect in the missing persons case and was arrested on the M25 near St Albans on 9 February. |
He was questioned for three days and when his car was searched police found Ms Morgan's house keys. | He was questioned for three days and when his car was searched police found Ms Morgan's house keys. |
Mr Fenhalls said Mr Israel's first account was that he had driven Ms Morgan to her home in Hatfield on 26 December, when he dropped her off. | Mr Fenhalls said Mr Israel's first account was that he had driven Ms Morgan to her home in Hatfield on 26 December, when he dropped her off. |
However, jurors heard that data from Mr Israel and Ms Morgan's phones "suggested" they were in Cricklewood, where he lived. | However, jurors heard that data from Mr Israel and Ms Morgan's phones "suggested" they were in Cricklewood, where he lived. |
Mr Fenhalls said: "His account completely changed and he said that Joy did go to Cricklewood with him in the early hours of 27 December, but that she slept on the sofa. | Mr Fenhalls said: "His account completely changed and he said that Joy did go to Cricklewood with him in the early hours of 27 December, but that she slept on the sofa. |
"He is one of those people who lies whenever he thinks he can get away with it. | "He is one of those people who lies whenever he thinks he can get away with it. |
"Only when presented with a new piece of evidence does he come up with a fresh explanation. | "Only when presented with a new piece of evidence does he come up with a fresh explanation. |
"He is, we say, a thoroughly dishonest and manipulative man." | "He is, we say, a thoroughly dishonest and manipulative man." |
The trial continues. | The trial continues. |