Three women charged in connection with withholding information and perverting the course of justice in the murder of Katie Simpson on August 9, 2020 have been given suspended sentences at Derry Crown Court today.
The defendants are Rose De Montmorency-Wright, 23, from Craigantlet Road in Newtownards, Hayley Rob, 30, from Weavers Row in Banbridge and Jill Robinson, 42, from Blackfort Road in Omagh.
The man alleged to have murdered her, Jonathan Creswell (36) was found dead on the morning of the second day of his trial.
At the sentencing hearing today Judge Neil Rafferty KC talked of the 'devastation and loss' which is felt by all those who knew the deceased woman.
Katie Simpson's mother said in her victim impact statement said 'if any of the girls had been truthful about what they knew, I would have been so much better able to comfort her.'
She also said that if she had known the truth 'Jonathan Creswell would never have been at Katie's bedside.'
The dead woman's grandparents said 'everyone in Katie's family wants her back.'
The judge said that Katie Simpson's death had left many people 'shocked, devastated and angry'.
Turning to the incident itself the judge said that Jonathan Creswell 'had created a fiction pretending to others he had found Katie hanging in a stairwell.'
He said that the defendants 'ascribed to and we're complicit in his conspiracy of silence' and added that the defendants Robb and Robinson had 'engaged in positive acts, the result of which was to mislead those trying to get to the truth of what had happened.'
The judge said that all three had pleaded guilty on an agreed basis which was that none of them knew or believed Creswell had murdered Katie Simpson but they all thought he had been involved in an assault.
He added that all three were aware police would be investigating the incident and that Creswell did not want police to know about his assault on the deceased.
Judge Rafferty said that the plea indicated that 'all three defendants acted upon Creswell' s lie that he had given Katie a hiding' and he had to pass sentence on the basis the defendants did not know Creswell had murdered the deceased.
Turning to Creswell himself the judge said there was evidence of Creswell's attitude and behaviour towards women.
One witness referred to Creswell subjecting her to 'coercive control and numerous physical assaults.'
He said that of note Creswell had subjected her to choking and strangulation.
The judge said another witness would have told the trial that Creswell had 'effectively groomed' Katie Simpson for when she was aged 10.
He described Creswell as 'a skilled and predatory abuser who regarded women under his influence as simply there to be used and abused.'
The court heard that withholding information and perverting the course of justice were serious offences and added that all three women had 'crossed the custody threshold.'
However, given the fact that all three had clear records he was going to suspend the sentences.
Hayley Robb was sentenced to two years in prison suspended for two years, Jill Robinson was sentenced to 16 months in prison suspended for two years and Rose De Montmorency-Wright to eight months suspended for two years.
Detective Chief Inspector Mark Gibson said: “Katie Simpson lost her life at the age of just 21, leaving family members and many close friends bereft. She was at the heart of a family who simply adored her.
“The trial for Katie’s alleged rape and murder got underway on April 23 but quickly ended when the defendant Jonathan Creswell was found dead the following morning.
“Katie’s loved ones have experienced a loss beyond words. Theirs is a sorrow deepened and prolonged by a lack of closure.
“While three co-defendants have today been held to account for their individual actions in connection with Katie’s death, I’m aware that a family’s nightmare goes on. My thoughts, along with those of my team, are with Katie’s family and friends who remain heartbroken.”
