Sunday Mirror (Northern Ireland)
Horse trainer charged with Katie murder
Horse trainer claimed girl bruised by horse, court told
A MAN accused of murdering 21-year-old Katie Simpson told cops bruises on her body happened when she was trampled by a horse, a court heard yesterday.
Horse trainer Jonathan James Cresswell, 33, of Briar Hill Gardens, Greysteel, was remanded in custody after appearing Dungannon Magistrates’ Court by videolinkw.
A detective sergeant told the court how on August 3 the Ambulance Service had been called to a suspected attempt by a woman to take her own life.
Katie was taken to Altnagelvin Hospital and transferred to intensive care. he officer said bruising to one of
her legs, both hands and one of her arms were noted. He added that doctors were concerned about her injuries and wanted further information.
He said Cresswell claimed she had fallen from a horse at a show and been trampled.
The detective added: “Doctors found him vague in detail. Doctors and nurses found that she did not present as a hanging victim... features that they would expect weren’t present.”
The detective described Ms Simpson as being in fear of Cresswell, and said: “[Cresswell] has been in a controlling, coercive relationship with Katie since she was a young girl.” He said Cresswell described finding Ms Simpson hanging from a strap attached to a bannister, but police did not find markings on the bannister and “negligible ligature marks on Katie’s neck”.
A lawyer for Cresswell challenged the police evidence and described the case as “essentially circumstantial”.
Bail was refused and Cresswell will appear by videolink at Derry District court on April 1.