August 3, 2024 marked exactly four years since Armagh showjumper Katie Simpson was presented unresponsive and half-naked to an ambulance crew, having purportedly hanged herself.
Her sister’s partner, Jonathan Creswell, was lauded the hero for rescuing and valiantly attempting to save her life.
Six days later Katie died and Creswell’s account was largely believed, however not everyone was convinced.
Despite huge pressure to accept the narrative, some set about what evolved into a tortuous battle for the truth.
Against major opposition, Creswell was finally charged with Katie’s murder and four women would later be reported to the Public Prosecution Service for their roles in the cover-up.
Three would face court, while the other mysteriously vanished from the case and all efforts to obtain justification for this have been stonewalled, although there may now be developments in that respect.
They admitted their charges leaving Creswell to stand trial alone, proceedings which abruptly concluded within 24 hours after he was found dead.
The controversy around the entire case continues to swirl as more details become known.
Originally from Derry/Londonderry, Creswell came to work at Dartan Ree Stables in Tynan close to Katie and her sister Christina’s home.
In 2009 Creswell was in a relationship with his previous victim Abi Lyle while living in Caledon from where she would be rescued from his abuse by a specialist PSNI domestic violence officer, a move which very possibly saved her life.
Creswell was arrested the next day and remanded in custody for a time, then released on bail.
As that case moved through the court system Creswell began a long-term relationship with Christina and the couple later had two children together.
It would emerge he was also involved continuously with co-defendant Hayley Robb and both women remained in simultaneous relationships with him right up to his arrest for Katie’s murder.
When released from prison in 2010 for horrifically abusing Abi, Creswell was warmly welcomed back into equestrian life, resuming his job in Tynan where Christina now also worked as did co-defendant Jill Robinson.
He quickly became a “poster boy” for the industry, something Chief Constable Jon Boucher was scathing of. telling a recent Policing Board meeting, “Creswell was accepted in society, and no-one put their hand up and reported it.”
Sadly, those who tried while Katie fought for her life, were dismissed.
Critical information was shared but it’s now claimed this didn’t match Creswell’s criminal record, something the Chief Constable assured has since been addressed and cannot happen again.
What he couldn’t say was how it happened in the first place.
That raises questions as to whether information was removed from the system and if so, how and why?
Was this a regular occurrence or a one-off specific to Creswell?
Also if the reporting person had provided what was clearly regarded as erroneous information, would that not constitute wasting police time or misuse of a communications network?
This however wasn’t the only material to disappear from the PSNI system in Creswell’s case.
At the end of December 2020, just as the investigation into Katie’s murder finally got underway, one reporting party requested details from the police log showing their information.
This was sent, re-sent and consistently re-sent without success.
The then Chief Constable was informed who advised Derry and Strabane PSNI would be in contact.
That never happened so the Chief Constable was alerted again.
The matter was taken up by his staff who incorrectly determined this a Freedom of Information request.
Another staff officer took over and a further round of emails and delays followed.
By 6 March 2021 Creswell had been arrested, charged and remanded in custody but the requested information still hadn’t materialised.
Following further reminders on 20 March 2021 – three months after asking – the PSNI said no information was held.
When the Chief Constable was challenged with corroborating evidence the information suddenly reappeared and the PSNI alerted the Police Ombudsman and the Information Commissioner.
How this situation occurred, especially against the background of Creswell’s evaporating assault convictions, is among an ever-growing list of questions.
The PSNI are not commenting on any aspect of the case while investigations into officer conduct are ongoing.
