‘It looks really bad’, accused told murder squad detectives
‘JEALOUS’ Sarah Williams told police “it looks really bad” as she was questioned about her movements by murder squad detectives.
Ms Williams told police that seven days before Sadie Hartley’s death and while Mr Johnston was on a skiing holiday abroad, she drove to his old house and sat outside in her car “like a bloody saddo” as she had done a number of times previously.
But the same night, January 7, Sadie Hartley received an unexpected delivery of flowers at her home which “freaked her out”.
The prosecution allege this was a dry run by Ms Williams and Ms Walsh, for the planned murder a week later.
In police interviews read to the jury, Det Con Bryony Midgley put it to Ms Williams that the flowers delivery was a ruse to confirm the killers had the right address in preparation for the murder.
“No, you would have to be out of your bloody mind,” Ms Williams told the officer.
Det Con Midgley continued: “People do strange things when they are in love.”
Ms Williams replied: “That’s true.”
The officer said one strange thing would be driving for an hour from her home to sit outside the house of her ex.
Ms Williams replied: “Yes, it’s sad. I appreciate it looks really bad.”
Det Con Midgley added: “Sadie was stabbed numerous times. In excess of 50 injuries. Are you responsible for those injuries?”
Ms Williams replied: “No. I just would not be capable of doing that to anybody at any time.”
Ms Williams again denied ever going to Sadie Hartley’s home on Sunnybank Road where she lived with Ian Johnston, or to his old house nearby after the visit on January 7 while he was away.
The customer sales adviser explained she had been sent home ill from her job at Crystal Ski Holidays in Manchester’s Chill Factore on the day of the murder, January 14, and was asleep in bed at home in Chester at the time Ms Hartley was killed.
But the next day, in a further interview, the officer told Ms Williams police had gathered some “extra information”.
Det Con Midgley told the suspect she now had information to “share with you”.
She asked the suspect to explain why her mobile phone and that of her co-accused Ms Walsh, had been traced close to Sadie’s home on January 7 when the flowers were delivered.
Ms Williams replied: “You will have to ask her.”
The officer said: “We will do, because she is going to be arrested on suspicion of murder like you.”
Ms Williams replied: “Oh God.”
The court heard in two further interviews Ms Williams was asked about CCTV footage, car registration plate tracking evidence, DNA evidence and the diaries kept by Ms Walsh – all allegedly linking her to the crime.
Ms Williams replied: “No comment” to further questions, the jury heard. Proceeding