2 weeks ago
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A horse trainer who was found dead while on trial for the rape and murder of a showjumper posted a phoney Facebook tribute to his 'best friend' on the day she died.
Jonathan Creswell, 36, had been charged with the rape and murder of Katie Simpson and was two days into his trial when he was discovered to have passed away at his Londonderry home last week under non-suspicious circumstances.
Londonderry Crown Court sitting in Coleraine heard Creswell had previously had an 'illicit' sexual relations with Katie and shared two children with her sister Christina.
He then became angry after he learned the 21-year-old, who lived with Jonathan and Christina, was in a relationship with someone else.
Sam Magee KC, a lawyer for the prosecution, told the jury that Creswell had raped, strangled and killed Katie. The court also heard that Creswell then tried to 'cover up' what happened by claiming Ms Simpson's death 'was as a result of suicide.'
Jonathan Creswell (pictured), 36, had been charged with the rape and murder of Katie Simpson and was two days into his trial when he was discovered to have passed away at his Londonderry home
Katie remained unconscious for a week before her death on 9 August 2020. Later that day, Jonathan posted a Facebook status gushing about Katie.
It read: 'One of the best friends I could ever ask for, one of the most talented horse women I ever met.
'Best hunting buddy in the world, fearless in the saddle, fearless across the country.
'Hardest worker born, best aunty to my [two] children.
'Christina Simpson [and] myself and the world are going to struggle without you beautiful.
'We love you so much. Can't wait to see you again.'
The post, which was shared on his Facebook page, was signed off with numerous kissing emojis.
According to the prosecution, Creswell pretended he was 'the unfortunate individual' who discovered Ms Simpson's body.
Katie remained unconscious for a week before her death on 9 August 2020. Later that day, Jonathan posted a Facebook status gushing about Katie
Londonderry Crown Court sitting in Coleraine heard Creswell had previously had an 'illicit' sexual relations with Katie (pictured) and shared two children with her sister Christina
Mr Magee added: 'It is the prosecution case the defendant raped Katie. He murdered her. He made efforts to cover up what he had done by trying to make her death look like a suicide. In the hours leading up to death he was with Katie.
'He strangled her and created a fiction, pretending to others that he found Katie hanging in a stairwell.
'He pretended to medical staff that she had taken her own life. We say he was the individual who did an act of violent rage which took her life at the age of just 21.'
According to BBC News, a post-mortem revealed that the injuries to Katie's limbs were 'consistent to being struck with a rod-type implement'.
Katie's mother Noeleen said: 'Katie's passion was horses, her friends, her family - going out with friends and socialising.
'She was a real people person. She could talk to anybody and it didn't matter their age.
'Katie would have just lit up the room. I know everybody says that but when you think of her you smile.'
The trial started was at Londonderry Crown Court sitting in Coleraine (pictured: Coleraine Courthouse)
A Detective Chief Inspector from the Police Service of Northern Ireland (PSNI) was called to the witness box last week. He said he had received information that a man had been found dead at 9am at a property in Londonderry.
'A family member confirmed it was Mr Jonathan Creswell,' he said.
A PSNI spokesperson told MailOnline: 'Police attended the sudden death of a man at an address in the Waterside area of Londonderry this morning. The death is not being treated as suspicious.'
Judge Neil Rafferty KC told the jury that the trial process had concluded and discharged them.
He said three co-accused who had pleaded guilty before the beginning of the trial would have their sentencing brought forward. He adjourned the case until May 10.
Mr Creswell's trial had been due to last between six and eight weeks.
On the first day of the trial on Tuesday, the court heard Katie was involved in the equestrian industry and that she and her sister Christina met Creswell when he was a jockey at Darton Ree Stables in Tynan, Co Armagh.
The court heard Christina and Creswell then got together and went on to have two children. Katie later began working with them.
Mr Magee told the court that Katie was in the very early stages of a relationship with another man named Shane McCloskey at the time of her death and she was terrified of Creswell learning this, the Irish Mirror reported.
Sentencing against the three co-accused women will now be brought forward, BBC Northern Ireland reported.
Jill Robinson, 42, from Blackfort Road in Omagh, admitted perverting the course of justice on August 3, 2020.
Hayley Robb, 30, from Weavers Meadow in Banbridge, County Down, admitted two charges of perverting the course of justice and withholding information.
Rose De Montmorency-Wright from Craigantlet Road in Newtownards, County Down, has admitted withholding information between 9 October 2020 and 13 October 2021.
If you have been affected by any of the issues raised in this story, Women's Aid offers free support via their instant messaging service and hotline.
