The man who killed children's author Helen Bailey was not 'capable' of murdering his first wife, his elderly father has told a court today, February 2.
He went on to add that 61-year-old Ian Stewart's first wife was "too good for him in many ways".
Stewart’s 90-year-old father Keith Stewart told
Huntingdon Crown Court: “I don’t think he’s guilty
I don’t think he’s capable of doing something like that. “I’ve known him all his life.”
Retired teacher Keith Stewart was asked by Amjad Malik QC, defending, to describe Stewart’s relationship with his wife.
“Perfect,” he replied.
“I never saw or heard any disagreements, ever. I had a good son, two great grandsons and a great daughter-in-law.”
He went on: “I thought she spoiled him.
“She was too good for him in many ways. She had to really look after him.”
The court was earlier told how Stewart had the rare long-term condition myasthenia gravis, described as “muscle weakness”.
Keith Stewart said: “She was the one who took him to hospital frequently.”
Keith Stewart was married to Brenda Stewart, who died in 2019, and Ian Stewart was their only child.
He said his son “didn’t know what to do, he didn’t know which way to turn” after the death of Diane Stewart.
Describing her funeral, Keith Stewart said: “Neither of us actually cried at the funeral.
“We kept our tears back.
“We’ve been criticised for that.
“After it was over we did cry, and before.”
He went on: “People say he (Ian Stewart) looks severe but he’s got something wrong with the muscles of his face.”
Ian Stewart not 'capable' of killing first wife, says father