Jury told of murder denials
TWO men accused of raping and murdering a mum found in a burning car denied any involvement in the attack – with one claiming he was living in fear of being branded a “grass” and killed.
Prosecutors say Stephen Unwin and William John McFall subjected Quyen Ngoc Nguyen to a terrifying four-hour ordeal which culminated in her being set on fire in her car.
When they were interviewed by police, both denied playing any part in her death in Houghton-le-Spring last August.
Jurors at Newcastle Crown Court have heard both Unwin and McFall have previous convictions for murdering pensioners in the 1990s and met while serving life sentences in prison.
After being released they got back in touch and joiner Unwin hired painter and decorator McFall to help him with his property maintenance business.
Both men were quizzed separately in a series of police interviews following the discovery of the badly burnt body of 28-year-old Miss Nguyen – sometimes known as Anna – in her Audi A4.
Unwin said: “I’ve never been there and never committed any offence.
”Like I said, I made a mistake years ago. I’ve never hurt anyone since. I’ve no reason to hurt that lady. My link with Anna is doing work for her, you know.”
He went on to say: “I’ve been crying last night, I couldn’t get no sleep.
”I hate being accused of this. I’ve known her for months and we got on great. I never killed nobody. That woman was my friend. I had no motive to hurt that woman, no motive at all.”
Unwin insisted Miss Nguyen had left his home on the evening of August 14 after being there for around half an hour.
He told police: “When she left my property she was alive sir.”
He added: “I’ve never ever harmed a woman in my life. It’s never ever right. She was a good friend of mine. She met my daughter, you know.
”It’s hard for me to sit here having you accuse me of such a thing.”
He added: I’ve not killed Anna. Nothing happened in my house. I don’t know where she went afterwards. All I know is when she left my house she was alive, sir. I did not kill her.
“I would not hurt anyone else in my life let alone her or any other woman.”
CCTV was put to Unwin showing Miss Nguyen had not left his home as he had described.
He replied: “I’ve got it wrong haven’t I about how she left. No comment sir.”
The officer asks if he wants to tell how she left. Unwin replied: “No comment.”
When McFall was interviewed he gave a statement including the phrase: “I’ve absolutely no knowledge of this offence or any involvement.”
He went on to tell police: “I mean I’m obviously in the wrong place at the wrong time. I told the police I’m on licence for murder. I would like to help you and try to bring closure to this but I’m in the dark and don’t know what’s going on.”
In a later interview, he added: “I find this somewhat disturbing that because I’m on licence I have been arrested. I have absolutely no association to this offence or the victim or the area or the surrounding area.
“Do you understand me. If I was involved in this why did I not return to Blackpool? Do you understand me, Miss.”
On August 17, McFall was taken to South Tyneside Magistrates’ Court for a hearing. A police officer said McFall commented while in the dock after it was disclosed that the cause of death was fire: “I can’t believe she died by fire. That’s horrible.”
After the hearing the officer said McFall added: “I’m not worried about me. Stephen has previous for that kind of thing.”
McFall, who claimed he was frightened of Unwin, added: “If he is not involved why would he have someone else’s cards?
“Why is the person in his home, why has he got her bank cards?
“That’s what I’m saying, he is a ******* idiot because in some way he must be involved in this, he has to be. Would you give your bank cards to somebody? Would you hell.”
In another interview McFall claimed “raping the ch***” was a reference to eating curry.
He told police: “It means you are eating curry – Stephen had made a Chinese curry. It’s a phrase I would regularly use in Northern Ireland, raping as in eating, scranning. It doesn’t mean anything sexual at all.”
McFall went on to claim he was in fear for his safety.
He said: “At the end of the day the threat made to me, I can’t say anything because it may be acted on.
“I’m in fear for my safety and the safety of my family, to be quite honest with you. I can swear to you, face to face, I did not murder this lady. I played no part in her death.”
Asked why he won’t explain further about the threats he says he has been subjected to, McFall said: “Fear. Serious fear I may end up getting murdered myself or my family. “And then being branded a grass. “I’m in a very difficult position here.”
Asked what the nature of the threats are, he replied: “Murder. I’ve been threatened to be done in.”
Asked by who, he said: “Well work it out for yourselves ladies, come on.”
McFall, 51, who was living between Unwin’s home and Blackpool, and Unwin, 40, of St Oswald’s Terrace, Houghton-le-Spring, deny murder and rape.
The trial continues.