Murder accused duo have both killed before
TWO men accused of killing a mum whose body was found in a burning car both have previous convictions for murdering pensioners, it has been revealed.
Stephen Unwin and William John McFall are accused of raping and murdering Quyen Ngoc Nguyen after holding her captive in an alleged attack motivated by “depraved sexual lust and financial greed”.
The fact both men have previously served life sentences for murders in the 1990s had previously not been disclosed to jurors at Newcastle Crown Court.
But now details of their violent histories have been revealed in a dramatic courtroom development.
When McFall was arrested he told police it was in prison that he had met Unwin, the court heard.
Prosecutor Jamie Hill QC told jurors Unwin pleaded guilty to murder on October 29 1999 at Newcastle Crown Court.
Mr Hill said: “In the early hours of Christmas Day 1998 the defendant broke into the home of a 73-year-old man in Houghton-le-Spring.
“He attacked the victim in bed, delivering multiple blows to the head with a camera then stabbing him in the chest.
“He then used a wheelie bin to take a TV set to his own home before returning for a video recorder.
“On his return he set three seats of fire – one next to the body, which had to be identified by dental records, one at the site of the theft and one at the point of entry and exit.
“He denied it when interviewed by the police. There was forensic evidence at the scene and evidence he had previously stolen from the victim.”
Having been sentenced to imprisonment for life, Unwin was released on licence on December 20 2012. McFall pleaded guilty to murder at Belfast Crown Court on April 11 1997. Mr Hill said: “In the early hours of May 5 1996 the defendant broke into 72 Station Road, Greenisland, Carrickfergus. “This was the home of 86-year-old widow Martha Gilmore. She had mobility problems. “She disturbed him, as a result of which she was struck in the face. “She fell to the ground and was then repeatedly struck to the head with a hammer. “The defendant was arrested along with his brother and brother-in-law. “The police discovered the defendant’s palm print on the inside of the front door in the home where the man wielding the murder weapon may have been crouched and steadying himself. He then admitted presence but said he
He attacked the victim in bed, delivering multiple blows to the head with a camera then stabbing him in the chest
ran off when he saw Mrs Gilmore had been disturbed.
“He thereby implied his brother and brother-in-law must be responsible. On remand he told a fellow inmate he had hidden a hammer in a graveyard. The other inmate told the police.
“McFall then wrote to the police admitting he said this to the other prisoner but said he had lied.
“The police searched the graveyard and found the hammer.
“The defendant then pleaded guilty. During his sentence he told a probation officer he had killed Mrs Gilmore due to alcohol, stress and panic when he became aware of her presence. But he maintained he had been coerced into the burglary by his brother and brother-in-law. They were not prosecuted due to a lack of evidence as to their involvement. Both are now deceased.”
Having been sentenced to imprisonment for life he was released on licence on October 29 2010.
Details of other previous convictions of the pair were also revealed.
In March 1992 Unwin was convicted of theft from a vehicle and arson relating to a HGV in September 1991. In July 1995 Unwin pleaded guilty to burglary, arson being reckless and attempting to obtain property by deception.
That relates to an offence in February 1995 in the early hours of the morning when he broke into the home of a 72-year-old man who be knew in Houghton-le-Spring.
Mr Hill said: “The man was asleep upstairs in bed. The defendant stole his benefit books and then set five seats of fire on the ground floor.
“The occupant was rescued by neighbours and although badly affected by smoke inhalation and gas inhalation, he survived.
“The defendant attempted to cash a benefit order later the same day.”
McFall was convicted at Belfast Crown Court on April 2 1987 of robbery, assault, aggravated burglary with intent and carrying a firearm with intent to commit an offence.
In March 1989 McFall was convicted of arson and burglary. Between 1989 and 1991 he was convicted three times of possessing offensive weapons.
In 1991 and 1992 he was twice convicted of assault occasioning actual bodily harm.
Miss Nguyen was allegedly murdered during a “terrifying” four-hour ordeal in which she was raped and set on fire in her car as part of an attack in which “violent, warped sexual fantasy and greed were the motivating factors”, the court has heard.
The 28-year-old, of Killingworth, North Tyneside, was allegedly lured to a trap at Unwin’s home in Houghton-le-Spring last August and he and McFall are said to have held her captive, forced her to hand over bank details and then set fire to her and her Audi while she was probably still alive. Later that evening, McFall is said to have taken a selfie of himself smiling in the passenger seat of Unwin’s car, who can be seen driving in the background.
McFall, 51, who was living between Houghton-le-Spring and Waterloo Road, Blackpool, and Unwin, 40, of St Oswald’s Terrace, Houghton-le-Spring, deny murder and rape.
The trial continues.