A thirty-three-year-old man charged with murdering his partner’s younger sister in what was originally presented as an alleged suicide, is still unable to be released from custody despite being granted High Court bail.
Questions remain around £10,000 lodged by a number of persons who: “Either indicate they never were a surety or no longer feel they can be because of intimidation.”
Jonathan James Creswell from Briar Hill Gardens, Greysteel is charged with murdering Katie Simpson on August 3 2020.
Katie passed away in hospital aged 21 just under a week after Creswell claims he rescued her from a suicide attempt.
Having dropped his children with a relative he returned to the house he shared with his partner Christina Simpson, Katie and another female.
On entering while talking to a friend on the phone, Creswell claims Katie was hanging.
He told the person on the phone to call an ambulance, but instructed it should go to a specific road, not the house.
Creswell placed Katie into her car and drove out to meet paramedics.
A treating consultant later remarked he had: “Never encountered someone putting a person into a car, unconscious and not breathing.”
Injuries on Katie’s arms and legs were: “Consistent with being struck with a rod-type implement.”
Last month High Court bail was set at £30,000 with residence at an address in Larne at which no females could be present.
But release stalled, after three of four sureties who lodged £10,000 with Creswell’s solicitor to secure bail, withdrew – one claiming he never agreed in the first place and two from alleged intimidation.
The case was revisited at High Court today (Thursday) where an alternative address was offered, which was not disclosed, due to previous “interference”.
Although aware of this, the property owner is willing to have Creswell at the address.
The prosecution pointed to “ongoing risk” of witness interference, as: “Police have advised of issues and fear these will escalate … The defendant has specifically and repeatedly tried to interfere with his partner.”
The judge stated: “I don’t want to sound uncaring and I do worry because even on the assumption the defendant is innocent of murder, some of the behaviour not in dispute is really appalling. But that cannot be a reason to refuse bail on this charge.”
Approving the new address, he warned Creswell faced return to custody in the event of witness interference.
However any prospect of release evaporated when the judge turned to sureties, although was aware one is no longer available.
The defence added that the others are no longer willing.
“People who supported my client have distanced themselves,” said the defence.
While the £10,000 remains in the solicitor’s account, the judge heard: “We don’t believe it’s available for cash sureties. It’s not the defendant’s money and he is not entitled to use it. We are contacting the parties to return it. That money comes entirely from the parties who either indicate they never were a surety or no longer feel they can be.”
At this the judge remarked: “I simply can’t release him without a substantial surety.”
The case was adjourned again.
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