Man accused of killing Shani Warren in 1987
Murder trial over death of 26-year-old found in Taplow Lake 35 years ago
A former Slough man is on trial over the death of a young woman who was found tied up and gagged in Taplow Lake 35 years ago.
Donald Robertson, 66, is accused of the murder of Shani Warren, who was 26, in April 1987, as well as her indecent assault and false imprisonment.
The jury at Reading Crown Court heard last week that Ms Warren’s ankles and legs were tied with a yellow tow rope, her hands restrained by a red car jump lead, while a blue gag was placed around her mouth.
Her body was discovered by a dog walker who found Ms Warren lying face down in the lake on Saturday, April 18, 1987.
At the time, a post-mortem was carried out by the late Dr Benjamin
Davis, who ascertained that Ms Warren’s cause of death was drowning.
But the doctor said that his examination ‘did not reveal evidence of any physical assault’, adding that the ligatures could possibly have been tied by Ms Warren herself.
Dr Davis’ findings were put under the spotlight at court on Tuesday when Home Office pathologist, Dr Ashley Fegan-Earl, cast an expert eye over his work.
The pathologist told the court that while he agreed on drowning being the cause of death, he differed in his opinion on whether someone else had been involved.
When asked by prosecution barrister John Price QC whether he agreed with Dr Davis that Ms Warren had died by suicide, Dr Fegan-Earl said ‘no’.
“I am of the opinion that the features here are supportive of a death due to third party involvement,” he told jurors.
Robertson – who denies all the charges against Ms Warren – also denies the kidnap and rape of a 16year-old girl, who cannot be named for legal reasons, in 1981.
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