Katie murder accused was star of Grand National TV ad

Channel 4 pull video of convicted abuser from Youtube

THE man accused of the rape and murder of showjumper Katie Simpson previously fronted a Channel 4 TV advert promoting the Grand National.

Jonathan Creswell had been in prison for assaulting an ex-girlfriend when he took part in the promo clip.

He had gone on trial on Tuesday, accused of the rape and murder of Miss Simpson (21) but was found dead the following morning.

Channel 4 pulled the 2013 video from Youtube after being contacted yesterday.

A MAN accused of the rape and murder of a young showjumper previously fronted a Channel 4 TV advert promoting its Grand National coverage.

Jonathan Creswell had served time in prison for assaulting his former girlfriend when he was featured in the promo clip.

He was shown riding a horse to victory, and at one point beamed with delight as he was carried victorious through a crowd of race fans.

Creswell had gone on trial this week accused of the rape and murder of Katie Simpson (21), from Co Armagh.

However, he was found dead on Wednesday morning.

His death is not being treated as suspicious.

People in Armagh, furious at Creswell’s past behaviour, alerted this newspaper to the TV advert for the 2013 Grand National, which at the time was televised by Channel 4.

The 90-second clip shows Creswell as a jockey, dressed in green and gold, riding a horse in a mock race. Creswell is seen roaring with delight as his horse heads for the finish line before he is carried on the shoulders of a group of fans at the end.

The advert was aired by Channel 4 to promote the world-famous race, which it televised that year. The broadcaster removed the clip when contacted yesterday.

Creswell had starred in the commercial less than three years after he served a six-month jail sentence for multiple assault and abuse charges against his previous partner, Abigail Lyle.

The abuse continued until Ms Lyle, who was 25 at the time of his sentencing, was rescued by an officer from a domestic violence unit.

In September 2010, then aged 22, Creswell — originally from Chestnut Manor in Caledon, Co Tyrone — pleaded guilty to five charges of assaulting Ms Lyle, occasioning her actual bodily harm, and one of common assault between February and August 2009. Channel 4 and the Grand

National sponsor at the time, John Smith’s Brewery, were contacted for comment.

The Jockey Club did not comment.

However, sources indicated those involved in making the advert were unaware of Creswell’s convictions.

Creswell was a jockey and represented both Ireland and Europe on the showjumping circuit many years ago.

It was contended in court that Creswell had murdered Katie, raping her some time beforehand, and then staged a scene to make it look like she had taken her own life.

However, many of the young showjumper’s loved ones raised concerns with the police about the investigation, and while her death was initially ruled a suicide, a push from friends and family and a Police Ombudsman probe led to the case being reopened, with Creswell later charged.

Following Creswell’s death, sentencing against three co-accused women, who pleaded guilty before his trial began, will be brought forward.

Hayley Robb (30), of Weavers Meadow in Banbridge, Co Down, admitted withholding information and two charges of perverting the course of justice.

Rose De Montmorency-wright (22), of Craigantlet Road in Newtownards, admitted withholding information. She had lived with Creswell, Katie’s sister ‘Nina’ Simpson, and Katie.

Jill Robinson (42), of Blackfort Road in Omagh, pleaded guilty to perverting the course of justice.