Jury sees CCTV of murder suspect arrest
Court Reporter FOOTAGE of police swooping on the house where murder accused Stephen Unwin and William McFall were staying was played to jurors.
A CCTV camera from next door to Unwin’s home captures the moment four uniformed officers and a dog handler approach his home from the rear lane.
The film then shows Unwin being led out by police, having been arrested on suspicion of murdering Quyen Ngoc Nguyen.
Unwin and McFall deny raping and murdering Miss Nguyen in an attack allegedly motivated by “depraved sexual lust and financial greed”.
They are accused of luring the 28-year-old, of Killingworth, North Tyneside, to a trap at Unwin’s home in Houghton-le-Spring last August.
It is claimed they attacked her, raped her, held her captive, forced her to hand over bank details then set her and her car on fire.
On the fourth day of the trial at Newcastle Crown Court, police CCTV expert DC Steve Speck continued to give evidence.
He told the court footage from Unwin’s neighbour’s home on St Oswald’s Terrace, Houghton-leSpring, shows police turning up at 9.59pm on August 15 to arrest him.
Two minutes later Unwin is seen being brought out of the house by police. McFall was initially taken in as a potential witness but was later arrested.
Prosecutor Jamie Hill QC asked DC Speck about matters in Unwin’s defence statement.
Mr Hill said: “It makes reference to the fact he found McFall attacking Miss Nguyen and he had effectively backed away from that scene but then got a text message.
“He said he opened the dining room door and saw McFall standing over Miss Nguyen. She was on the floor, McFall had his foot on her head, a cord round her neck and McFall was demanding she told him the locations of the cannabis farms.
”Unwin said he backed out of the scene into the kitchen.
“He says McFall was calling his name then texted him ‘come in please.’ We know the text was sent at 10.10pm.
”Were you able to look at the CCTV to ascertain where people were?”
DC Speck replied: “I viewed the CCTV. I saw at 22.01 Unwin walked from the direction of the kitchen door to the garage while holding an illuminated screen of a smart phone.
”At 22.02 Unwin opened the garage door and entered, closing it behind him.”
Mr Hill said: “Mr Unwin says he was slumped on the floor in the kitchen when he received the message.”
DC Speck said McFall approached the garage at 10.07pm while Unwin was still inside. At 10.10pm McFall sent the text to Unwin saying “come in please”. Eight seconds later, Unwin leaves the garage looking at a phone screen, DC Speck told the court. Mr Hill asked the witness about McFall’s claim Unwin told him not to leave and locked the back gate behind him while he went to the Co-op. DC Speck said the footage shows Unwin returning and that he “didn’t use the key, pressed the handle and walked straight in.” Dapinder Singh QC, for Unwin, cross-examining the police officer, said with reference to McFall’s claim he was locked in: “When Mr Unwin went to the Co-op, there’s clearly an exit route out of the house.” Mr Speck replied: “It certainly appears so to me.” Mr Singh continued: “He could have quite easily left through the back door out of the gate.” DC Speck said:“Yes.” McFall, 51, who was living between Unwin’s home and Waterloo Road, Blackpool, and Unwin, 40, of St Oswald’s Terrace, Houghton-leSpring, deny murder and rape. The trial continues. Prosecutor Jamie Hill QC A WOMAN was sexually assaulted by a man on a Megabus travelling through Newcastle.
The attack happened on the bus which departed London on the evening of Thursday, December 7.
It left Victoria Coach Station at 10.30pm before arriving at St Andrews Bus Station in Edinburgh at around 7am the next day.
Police said the sexual assault happened shortly before the bus stopped in Newcastle at around 4.30am.
An Asian male sat next to a 31-year-old woman, touched her inappropriately and tried to kiss her.
She rejected his advances and he then moved seats as the bus pulled into Newcastle.
Both passengers got off the bus in Edinburgh.
Police are appealing for any passengers on the bus who saw the man to get in touch.
He is described as Asian, of stocky build, taller than 5ft 4ins and had dark eyes and short dark hair.
He was wearing a blue jumper with a collared shirt underneath and had a jacket on top and dark trousers.
Anyone with information is asked to call Northumbria Police on 101 quoting the log 764 08/12/18 or email 2838@ northumbria.pnn.police.uk HUNDREDS of homes were left without power in Newcastle following an electrical fire in Cowgate.
At least 500 homes were darkness last night as engineers from Northern Powergrid have been forced to switch off power in the NE4 and NE5 areas while they carried out work on cables in the area.
The power cut came after a serious underground electrical fire on Ponteland Road yesterday afternoon.
The A167 was closed in both directions between Brieryside and Howat Avenue after the fire broke out near the Aldi store.
Power was expected to be restored before midnight.
A multi-agency reception centre was opened at Morrisons, Two Ball Lonnen, where British Red Cross volunteers and partners provided welfare support for residents.