Wife’s murder conviction is overturned
BY SIAN HARRISON A WOMAN who killed her husband in a hammer attack will face a fresh trial after her murder conviction was overturned.
Georgina Challen says she killed Richard Challen, 61, in August 2010 after 40 years of being controlled and humiliated by him.
She was jailed for life for his murder in 2011. But her conviction was quashed and a retrial ordered at the Court of Appeal in London yesterday.
Three senior judges ruled fresh evidence given by a psychiatrist saying she suffered mental disorders undermined the safety of her conviction.
At her trial, Challen, 65, of Claygate, Surrey, admitted killing the former car dealer but denied murder, claiming diminished responsibility. A SINGLE dad was forced to look after his seriously ill daughter for weeks in a B&B branded “the worst hotel in Scotland”.
Julian Maddern, who has cancer, said he endured horrendous conditions at Almond House Lodge – with one resident telling him they smoked crack cocaine there.
He said rooms were flooded, there was no hot water and dozens of people had to prepare food in a single microwave.
Edinburgh City Council housed Julian and daughter Tallulahskye in the B&B after they became homeless.
They spent a month there in “disgusting” conditions.
Julian added: “There were addicts using drugs, domestic violence and people with mental health issues.
“It was dangerous for a little girl with health conditions and there was no support. They basically stuck you in a room and said you had to be out at 9am. What am I supposed to do with my girl on a weekend when it’s pouring down?
Julian, 49, moved from BY ANDY PHILIP a.philip@dailyrecord.co.uk Bristol to Edinburgh to be near Tallulahskye last spring. She was born in the city at 26 weeks, weighing just 1lb 1oz, and she has continuing health problems.
Julian, who is separated from the tot’s mum, ended up being the tot’s full-time carer.
A private tenancy in a flat fell through and he and Tallulahskye became homeless. The council put them up in Almond House Lodge in Marine Drive, Silverknowes, from March to April.
The dad now has a permanent home with his daughter. But he wants to put pressure on the council and Scottish Government to make sure no other families have to suffer.
Almond House Lodge has been slated in online reviews and comments. A post on TripAdvisor dubbed it “the worst hotel in Scotland,