12:35
Brown and Ms Howard's relationship 'petered out'
Brown confirms that Leah had been vulnerable over the years. Asked if Elizabeth Howard was also vulnerable, Brown says not necessarily.
Asked why their relationship “petered out” - Brown says it was because he was busy. Brown later signed up for Tinder, and a ‘no strings’ dating website.
Asked by Mr Atkinson if he had not been too busy but was in fact more interested in Alex Morgan, Brown insists that she was in fact too busy to be on his phone.
On May 27, Brown makes online searches in relation to Alex Morgan and says he was interested in her.
12:38
Brown's first meet with Alex Morgan
On Tuesday June 8, 2021, Brown drove from Little Bridge Farm to Cranbrook, spending some time in the vicinity of Alex Morgan’s home, according to cell site data. He was in the area from 8.09pm until 12.24am the following morning.
Brown says: “For an hour and ten minutes I was in her address,” adding that this was his first appointment with her.
The previous day, Mr Atkinson claims Brown had taken a picture of the Shell petrol station next to her home and that he had gone to her home. Brown denies both claims.
Brown confirms that on June 8, Ms Howard had been expecting him to go around her house. A little after 6pm, Brown texted Ms Howard to say: “I’ll be going dark around 8 ish but I'll let you know the second I'm on my way to you.”
At “8 ish” Brown confirms he was with Alex Morgan.
12:46
'I’m so sorry, that turned into a mission and a half'
The court hears that shortly after midnight, Brown texted Ms Howard saying: “I’m so sorry, that turned into a mission and a half, old friend needed help, ex partner stalking her.”
Brown adds that he did not want to “mess her around” so decided to leave gifts for Ms Howard’s children. Mr Atkinson alleges that it was in fact Brown who had been doing the stalking which Brown denies and again confirms he did not take a picture of any petrol station by Alex Morgan’s house.
12:49
More from messages to Ms Howard
The first time Alex Morgan went to Little Bridge Farm was Monday June 21, 2021.
On Tuesday June 22, Brown says to Ms Howard “I had Alex turn up, bless her” before adding that she “made a pass at me, silly girl, she’s like my daughter".
Brown says this ‘Alex’ is the friend in the Cranbrook area whose partner was stalking them and that Brown went to see after meeting Alex Morgan. Brown again insists that he called this person ‘Alex’ to protect them but that it is not their real name.
Brown later sends a picture of Alex Morgan to Ms Howard, and says “That’s my friend Alex". He again says it is not Alex Morgan that he is referring to.
“You’re talking to Elizabeth Howard about someone you don't want to identify. so you send her a picture on a separate occasion of a person you weren't in fact talking about?” Mr Atkinson says and asks why he would send a picture of Alex Morgan if he was not talking about her.
“Were you trying to get Elizabeth Howard jealous?," the prosecutor adds.
Brown replies: "Of what. Anyone in their right mind would give their right arm to be with Beth, but that man is not me, to be her friend is an honour and a privilege."
The trial has focused on the disappearances of Alex Morgan and Leah Ware
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