BAILED MURDER SUSPECT CAN’T LIVE WITH WOMEN

Man ‘killed partner’s younger sister’

said an autopsy concluded it was impossible to be certain whether hanging occurred. The barrister added: “There was a mark on the neck that could have been caused by a noose. This is not a strong prima facie case of murder on the papers presently available.” Granting bail, the judge said: “For now I have a case full of suspicion but, it seems to me, short on proof.”

A HORSE trainer charged with murdering his partner’s sister is to be barred from living with any other women, a High Court judge ordered yesterday.

Mr Justice O’hara imposed the prohibition as part of strict terms on which he granted bail to Jonathan Cresswell.

The 33-year-old is accused of killing Katie Simpson following an investigation into her initially suspected hanging.

The 21-year-old showjumper died in hospital following an incident at an address in Gortnessy Meadows, Derry, on August 3 last year.

Cresswell, of Briar Hill Gardens,

Greysteel, Co Derry, was the long-term partner of Ms Simpson’s older sister.

But, according to the prosecution, he had also been in a sexual relationship with the alleged victim, borrowing thousands of pounds from her and other women.

During a previous hearing he was described as an alleged “philanderer” involved in a series of affairs.

At first it was thought Ms Simpson, from Co Armagh, had taken her own life.

Despite continuing uncertainty over how she died, Cresswell was charged with murder based on other evidence and “deficiencies” in his version of events.

Crown lawyer Robin Steer argued the accused’s account about Ms Simpson hanging herself lacked credibility.

He claimed there was a window of opportunity for Cresswell to have been responsible for her death.

Opposing bail, Mr Steer also detailed alleged attempts to interfere with witnesses in the case.

Defence counsel Kieran Mallon

I have a case full of suspicion but... short on proof MR JUSTICE O’HARA HIGH COURT YESTERDAY