An inquest has been ordered into the death of Jonathan Creswell who was found dead 24 hours after his trial commenced into the rape and murder of Katie Simpson.
During a review hearing at Derry/Londonderry Crown Court Judge Neil Rafferty set out the position and directed the case to be “discontinued.”
Sentencing of the three co-defendant women – all connected to Creswell through the equestrian industry and who assisted in the cover-up – has been scheduled for May 31.
They initially denied charges relating to various actions following Katie’s death, but all later changed their plea.
The first to switch position was Hayley Robb (30) from Weavers Meadow, Banbridge who changed plea in December.
She admitted withholding information between August 2, 2020 and June 26, 2021, while knowing Katie had sustained injuries.
Robb further admitted perverting the course of justice by cleaning blood in Creswell’s home on August 3, 2020 as well as washing his clothes at a laundrette.
Then in January the other two women also changed their pleas to guilty.
Jill Robinson (42) from Blackfort Road, Omagh admitted perverting the course of justice by washing Creswell’s clothes along with Robb.
Rose de Montmorency-Wright (22) of Craigantlet Road, Newtownards admitted withholding information between October 9, 2020 and October 13, 2021 knowing Creswell had allegedly assaulted Katie and an investigation was underway into her death.
It was almost four years after the horrific events which led to Katie Simpson’s death when the trial commenced but it would sharply end within 24 hours when Coleraine Crown Court was informed Jonathan Creswell had been found dead.
The jury was sworn on Monday, April 22 for his trial into Katie’s rape and murder, and listening intently to proceedings, at one point objecting to a particular juror and having them stood down.
Proceedings began in earnest at midday on April 23 but never got past the trial opening.
A date for Creswell’s inquest has not yet been formalised.
