UK - Anita Rose, 57, walking her dog, police investigating suspected murder, Brantham, Suffolk, 24th July 2024'

[Dotta]

"Thinning hair" is a bit of an understatement! Looks quite frail and weak, hard to imagine him capable of the sadistic and cowardly acts he is accused of.

I suspect the accused is not right in the head
But, obviously,
prone to violent outbursts for whatever reasons.
And quite cunning if he managed to stay on the loose for such a long time.

JMO

 

[DSleuth]

The jury was told about the accused’s prior attack on an 82-year old man back in 2015. The victim in that case survived, but had severe injuries.

Quote:
Police were told Mr Barclay came from behind and jumped on the 82-year-old's back, before kneeling on his leg and repeatedly punching him in the face.

Mr Gunfield was taken to hospital and and needed 10 titanium plates, fitted and secured with screws.

Anita Rose murder accused jailed before for pensioner attack

A court hears the accused, Roy Barclay, had beaten an elderly man and was jailed for the offence.

www.bbc.com

The m.o. sounds similar, doesn’t it? jmo

It’s very very similar isn’t it.

[https://www.gazette-news.co.uk/news/13800803.ten-years-in-jail-for-🤬🤬🤬🤬-who-attacked-elderly-man/

I found the above a few weeks ago but I wasn’t sure if discussion of previous convictions was allowed on here so didn’t post it at the time, but now it’s come out in this trial I presume it’s ok.

He has a very similar MO in the above. This really stood out to me as being almost identical:
He jumped on him and punched him in the head and face, then fled.

This was a savage attack for no good reason on an 82- year-old man, who was left for dead.

 

[Grouse]

I suspect the accused is not right in the head
But, obviously,
prone to violent outbursts for whatever reasons.
And quite cunning if he managed to stay on the loose for such a long time.

JMO

Indeed, and with a preference for victims who are less able to give him a fight back.

I am a bit surprised he managed to stay on the loose for so long, without leaving the area. Living the way he did between his several "camps" he must have been out and about quite a lot. Cunning or just lack of resources to find him?

 

[Tortoise]

"Neuropathologist Dr Kieran Allinson told the jury Ms Rose's injuries would have caused "instant unconsciousness… with very little prospect of recovery".

He also said they were consistent with kicking, stamping and repeated impacts to the head, which would cause the brain to "shake around violently".

Dr Allinson added that "grade two" injuries of this kind "would not be consistent with a single punch"."

Dog walker 'had little chance of recovery' after Brantham attack

Anita Rose suffered a traumatic brain injury during the attack in Brantham last July, a trial hears.

www.bbc.co.uk

 

[Tortoise]

"Items belonging to Anita Rose were found at makeshift camps under the Orwell Bridge and in Brantham months after her death.

The court was told that a forensic scientist - Kim Edwards - found the defendant's DNA on Ms Rose's pink jacket and on the ear buds of her headphones."

Dog walker injuries 'like high speed car accident'

Anita Rose suffered a traumatic brain injury during the attack in Brantham last July, a trial hears.

ca.news.yahoo.com

 

[slowpoke]

"Thinning hair" is a bit of an understatement! Looks quite frail and weak, hard to imagine him capable of the sadistic and cowardly acts he is accused of.

Yet, if this photo is also him, look how he walks with his hands balled into fists. It could just be a habit, or that he is cold.

But the tight fists could be a sign of tenseness. Or anger. A defensive stance. One who might be in a mood to take offense at someone for any perceived slight.

JMO

 

[slowpoke]

Note: Sorry if talk of blood and her injuries is disturbing to anyone…

This is rather surprising to me, about the amount of blood at the scene being small:

Quote:
She said no blood was found on the soles of walking boots worn by Barclay on the day he allegedly attacked Ms Rose but this wasn't surprising as there was only a small amount of blood at the scene and three months had passed between the attack and Barclay’s arrest in October last year.

Expert compares dog walker's brain injury to one from a high-speed crash

Anita Rose suffered a brain injury similar to one from a high-speed crash after an attack in Brantham, Suffolk, Ipswich Crown Court heard.

www.eadt.co.uk

I recall earlier reading she was black and blue in the face. We know her injuries were severe, so It must be they were mostly internal ones. JMO

 

[Dotta]

"Brantham woman's facial bruises ​

compared to soles of boots.​

A consultant pathologist Virginia Fitzpatrick-Swallow explained the findings of her post-mortem to the jury.

Bruising to Ms Rose’s knuckles
could show that she had raised her hands in an effort to shield herself,
Dr Fitzpatrick-Swallow said.

Alternatively,
they could show that Ms Rose had fallen during an assault or have tried to strike her assailant.

She also noted bruising to Ms Rose’s face with 'very clearly' discernible 'geometric patterns'.

Bruising of this type, said Dr Fitzpatrick-Swallow,
is 'classic in cases of head stamping'.

Also giving evidence was Padraig O’Shea,
a forensic scientist specialising in footwear, patterns and analysis.

Dr O’Shea explained that he had analysed a pair of Northwest boots,
which he said had an 'uncommon' sole pattern.

The trial continues."

Murdered woman could have had her head stamped on, court told

The bruising suffered by a mother-of-six is consistent with victims whose heads have been stamped on, a court was told.

www.eadt.co.uk

 

[slowpoke]

Paraphrasing, as this Ipswich Star article is behind a paywall:

Brantham murder suspect Roy Barclay continues evidence (Link)​

A statement was read to the jury, which was the words from a statement given to the police from the accused, denying he had any part in her death.
In it, he said
He did not know the murdered victim
He wouldn’t be linked forensically to her death

Suffolk police officer DC Kate Hutson was questioned by Simon Spence for Roy Barclay. Two other dog walker incidents were brought up.

The officer was asked if the Cambridgeshire police contacted them and told them of a very similar attack the year prior, in June 2023, on a female dog walker in Paxton Pits.

The officer was also asked about another possible similar incident, one that happened in Nov 2024, which was after Barclay was arrested.
A woman was walking her two dogs in Mendlesham, and was found unconscious with injuries to her face; she had no recollection what happened to her, but doctors say her injuries do not look like it happened from a fall.

—-

I found news links to these incidents:

Cambridgeshire, Paxton Pits dog walker

Mendlesham dog walker

 

[Dotta]

"Murder accused ​

will not give evidence at trial.​

At Ipswich Crown Court,
his barrister Simon Spence KC told jurors
he would not be calling his client to be questioned or cross-examined.

The judge told the court
that following five weeks of prosecution evidence,
there would be no evidence from the defence.

He said there would be closing addresses from prosecuting and defence counsels
before he sums up the case.

In his closing address,
the prosecuting counsel Chris Paxton KC told the court:

'Roy Barclay took Anita Rose's life in an explosion of violence.
Blow after blow.
Kick after kick.

Roy Barclay's determination to save his own skin
is exhibited in the brutality of Anita Rose's injuries'.

The trial continues."

Man accused of Brantham murder will not give evidence at trial

A trial hears Roy Barclay will not be answering questions as he denies killing dog walker Anita Rose.

www.bbc.com

 

[slowpoke]

Oh, wow. About the prior attack for which the accused in Anita’s case was convicted. Regarding the victim in the 2015 crime:

“He was found with a dog lead wrapped around his foot, which the prosecution said was similar to the way Ms Rose’s body was found, with a dog lead “tightly” wrapped around her leg.”



That feels pretty damning, unless it’s a copycat situation. jmo

Man accused of dog walker murder was jailed for attack on pensioner – court

Roy Barclay denies murdering Anita Rose, who was found unconscious in Brantham, Suffolk, on July 24 last year.

www.irishnews.com

 

[Tortoise]

Oh, wow. About the prior attack for which the accused in Anita’s case was convicted. Regarding the victim in the 2015 crime:

“He was found with a dog lead wrapped around his foot, which the prosecution said was similar to the way Ms Rose’s body was found, with a dog lead “tightly” wrapped around her leg.”



That feels pretty damning, unless it’s a copycat situation. jmo

Man accused of dog walker murder was jailed for attack on pensioner – court

Roy Barclay denies murdering Anita Rose, who was found unconscious in Brantham, Suffolk, on July 24 last year.

www.irishnews.com

I wonder why he was on recall to prison after being released.

As regards the wrapping of the dogs' leads around their legs, what could be the reason for that? To stop the dog from running off and alerting people to the attack before he's had time to get away (allegedly)?

 

[slowpoke]

I wonder why he was on recall to prison after being released.

As regards the wrapping of the dogs' leads around their legs, what could be the reason for that? To stop the dog from running off and alerting people to the attack before he's had time to get away (allegedly)?

One common reason for why being recalled happens is not showing up to probation appointments, but I don’t know if the reason for the accused’s has been stated.

Regarding tying the dog’s lead, In the article I linked in my prior post, the prosecutor said Barclay was a dog lover—even volunteered while on probation at a dog charity.

Your theory could be why he did the tying, or could it be that he didn’t want harm to come to the victims’ dogs by their wandering off (lost, injured)?

 

[Parker Knoll]

I’m going with the “ buying time “ to get away version of events here tbh.
He’s a coward.
JMO

 

[Megnut]

I’m going with the “ buying time “ to get away version of events here tbh.
He’s a coward.
JMO

So the dog(s) wouldn't follow or attack him.

How was this man loose in the first place??????

She just wanted to walk her dog... and go home.



JMsadO

 

[Dotta]

I wonder how the defendant would fare in prison
if he seems to suffer from sudden and uncontrollable attacks of rage?

I mean,
anything really could trigger him.
A glance, a remark.

Is general population in prison a right place for such an unstable & unpredictable person?

Prison environment is stressful,
there is no comparison to camping and living alone while staying off grid.
Inmates are not known for empathy and patience.
Usually everyone gets on everyone's nerves.

Hmmm...

Would such a volatile and paranoid person be suitable for solitary confinement?

JMO

 

[slowpoke]

Paraphrasing since behind a paywall:

The judge stressed to the jurors that Barclay’s previous conviction from the 2015 crime should be viewed as additional circumstantial evidence, and not base a decision to convict in this case wholly or mainly on that.

Looks like the trial is wrapping up soon, with closing speeches by both barristers then the judge giving a summary of facts remains.

Murder trial told accused previously attacked 82-year-old dog lover

The trial of Roy Barclay, who is accused of murdering Anita Rose in Brantham, has heard about a defendant's previous convictions.

www.ipswichstar.co.uk

 

[Parker Knoll]

Good.
Come on jury.
JMO.

 

[Tortoise]

The closing defence speech in the trial of a man accused of murdering a dog walker has been postponed due to his barrister falling ill.

Alleged murderer’s defence closing speech delayed by barrister illness

The closing defence speech in the trial of a man accused of murdering a dog walker has been postponed due to his barrister falling ill.

www.eadt.co.uk

 

[Dotta]

Oh dear...

I was curious what arguments Defence might present.

Considering that...

(Quoting from the link in my previous post)

"The judge told the court
that following five weeks of prosecution evidence,
there would be no evidence from the defence."

Oh well...

Man accused of Brantham murder will not give evidence at trial

A trial hears Roy Barclay will not be answering questions as he denies killing dog walker Anita Rose.

www.bbc.com