QC: You’re a greedy, calculating killer...
ACCUSED Stephen Unwin denied being a “greedy, calculating, callous murderer” and a “psychopathic fantasist” who was solely responsible for the “hideous acts” which killed a mum.
Unwin is on trial with William John McFall accused of subjecting Quyen Ngoc Nguyen to a four-hour ordeal motivated by “depraved sexual lust and financial greed”.
The pair both deny rape and murder and are blaming each other for killing the 28-year-old – also known as Anna – in Houghtonle-Spring in August.
In his second day in the witness box at Newcastle Crown Court, Unwin was cross-examined by McFall’s barrister, Nicholas Lumley QC, who branded him a “remarkable liar”.
Mr Lumley said to Unwin: “You are a greedy, calculating, callous murderer Mr Unwin.” Unwin replied: “Well that’s incorrect sir.”
Later, Mr Lumley said: “Please don’t take this the wrong way Mr Unwin – you are a psychopathic fantasist.” Unwin replied: “I’m not.”
Mr Lumley said: “You threatened, tortured and killed that poor woman in your house, didn’t you?” Unwin replied: “I didn’t sir.”
Mr Lumley said while McFall was “no angel”, he was Unwin’s “puppet” but Unwin denied controlling him and refuted suggestions his co-accused was in the wrong place at the wrong time.
The barrister said: “You alone are entirely responsible for this hideous series of acts.” Unwin replied: “That’s incorrect sir.”
Referring to Unwin telling police to check if it was Miss Nguyen’s body in the car, Mr Lumley said: “You are a cold and calculating and callous killer, Mr Unwin.” He replied: “No I’m not sir.”
Mr Lumley asked how Unwin’s Marvel lounge pants got stained with Miss Nguyen’s blood. He replied: “I would not say a microscopic drop of blood was a stain but I can’t explain that unless I’ve come into contact with Mr McFall that night.”
He denied injecting her with whisky or assaulting her.
Mr Lumley said: “Did you blackmail her in some way? If you don’t give me money I’m going to tell the police about your cannabis?” Unwin replied: “Never.”
During cross-examination, prosecutor Jamie Hill QC said: “Drugs, sex, violence and money – that’s what this case is all about. Albeit unwittingly, Anna became a source of all of those things.”
Unwin said: “Unintentionally. I never hurt my friend, never hurt her.”
Asked why he said he is scared of McFall, Unwin said: “John knows some very naughty people. Even here, he has been making threats downstairs. He knows a lot of nasty people.”
Mr Hill said: “You are one of them, aren’t you?”
Unwin replied: “No I’m not. I’m a reformed character.”
Referring to McFall, he added: “He says he is going to drag me down, going to get my auntie raped, saying I will never see my child again. He associates with drug dealers and gangsters. He knows where my family are. He can make a phone call. That’s what I’m scared of.”
Mr Hill said: “This big time gangster, he was your gofer wasn’t he?”
Unwin replied: “No.” He added: “At one point he was more like a brother but obviously the feeling was not mutual I suppose.”
Unwin went on to say: “On this occasion I’m innocent.
“I didn’t set fire to the car and didn’t kill her.”
He wiped away tears as he added: “I’ve been played.”
Referring to footage from in a cannabis farm, Unwin said: “Mr McFall said he felt like Robin Williams in Jumanji.”
Unwin denied he and McFall were “taxing” drug dealers or that their backgrounds gave them “status”.
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.