GUILTY UK - Helen Bailey, 51, Royston, 11 April 2016 #1

[Alyce]

Ian Stewart 'wasn't tearful'

The wound was nearly healed so a further appointment with Stewart was not made. Lynn is being asked about Stewart’s mood.

She said: “He was closing me down in terms of conversation. He did not want to discuss anything. I just remember him being pre-occupied and vacant. He wasn’t tearful.”

Stewart later came for a blood test but again conversation was very limited, jurors are told.


http://www.cambridge-news.co.uk/news/cambridge-news/helen-bailey-murder-trial-week-12452783

 

[Alyce]

The end of nurse Lynn Hull's evidence

Lynn is now being cross-examined by the defence.

She reiterates that Stewart was wearing a pale blue shirt on April 11, 2016.

“Some people aren’t chatty and just don’t want to talk”, she added.

She admits that the appointment wasn’t cancelled, simply “postponed to later in the day.”

That is the end of Lynn’s evidence.

http://www.cambridge-news.co.uk/news/cambridge-news/helen-bailey-murder-trial-week-12452783

 

[Alyce]

So he allegedlly had * car trouble * which necessitated the change of appointment time....and yet Helen's 2 cars were available surely - particularly the Jeep she had allegedly been out in that morning.

 

[Alyce]

For reference

Distance from Hartwell Lodge to Ashwell Surgery - 6 or 7 miles dependent on route taken
Journey time 12 minutes approx

IS arrived at the Surgery at 2.54pm - so departure from the house 2.42pm ish ?

 

[Alyce]

Solicitors' secretary says Stewart seemed 'eager'

A statement is now being read to jurors from Celia Rolf, made on May 19, 2016.

Celia had worked as a secretary for Penn Sassoly solicitors at the time of making her statement.

She said: “I’ve not met Helen, but knew of her. I had read an article about her when her husband died many years ago.

“I had met Stewart, when he came to our offices to collect some papers. We didn’t have much conversation.

“He might have wanted to chat but I was keen to get on. He may have said about his partner not being able to come as she was away.

“He wasn’t carrying anything with him but left with the papers I handed to him. I can’t recall what was on the papers.

“On Wednesday April 13, 2016, Stewart called regarding papers he brought in on Monday. He told me he brought some papers in on the Monday, he was eager to collect the papers ‘we didn’t need’ for the conveyance matter.

“On April 14, I took a message that Stewart would call in to collect the papers after seeing his GP between 11am and 11.30am.

“I believe he came in around 1pm or 2pm, because I was on my own in the office.

“On the phone I recall him telling me that Helen was away at the moment. He came across that he was very eager to come in to collect the papers. Why he should be so eager I’m not so sure.

“He sounded in a hurry. When he came in he was pleased to have the papers back.

“I don’t recall seeing him on April 11, 2016.*

http://www.cambridge-news.co.uk/news/cambridge-news/helen-bailey-murder-trial-week-12452783

 

[Alyce]

Helen Bailey planned to sell Gateshead flat

Timothy Penn, a solicitor at Penn Sassoly solicitors in Royston, will now be giving evidence.

He said: “Helen was introduced to me because she needed a solicitor for the sale of a flat.

“On April 5 she came into my office for an appointment. She said to me that I would need her partner’s ID at some point.

“She said the flat had been an investment property, it was surplus to her requirements she was selling it to realise the capital. It was a very routine conveyancing transaction as far as we were concerned.

“The flat was in Gateshead, the asking price was £185,000. The purpose of the meeting was an opportunity to meet the client which we always wish to do, and to get some basic instructions from her in regard to the property and the circumstances of the sale.

“That was the first and only time I met Helen Bailey. My records showed that Helen was due to come into the office to see me on April 11, 2016, but my office was called and we heard that she would not be coming in because she was unwell.

A few days later Stewart came in with some documents Helen was due to be bringing in but wasn’t able to.

“He came back and collected the surplus documents about a week later. We copied his ID.

“He gave the air of someone who was in a little bit of a hurry, but apart from that there was nothing untoward really.”

http://www.cambridge-news.co.uk/news/cambridge-news/helen-bailey-murder-trial-week-12452783

 

[Alyce]

Stewart claimed to have power of attorney over Helen Bailey's affairs

Stewart tried to proceed with the transaction but was told the solicitors would like to speak to Helen directly in order to do so, the court was told.

Mr Penn said: “He told me he had a power of attorney to act on her behalf, but we would need some kind of direct contact with Helen”.

Mr Penn said that there was a due to be a further appointment with Helen on 2.30pm on April 8, but he assumes this to have been cancelled as it was crossed out in his diary.

A further appointment on April 11 was also cancelled.


http://www.cambridge-news.co.uk/news/cambridge-news/helen-bailey-murder-trial-week-12452783

 

[Alyce]

"He was very anxious. He was not at all pleased"

Mr Penn is now being cross-examined by the defence.

He said he was told by Helen that an offer had been made for the property in Gateshead.

He reiterated that Stewart came in to the solicitor’s office on April 11, 2016, and it was possible that Stewart came into his office to give him the box of files.

“I don’t recall him coming back in later the same day with more paperwork, but this could have happened.

“I should mention to the court that Stewart came back to the office on another occasion in July much later, again pressing me as to whether or not this transaction could proceed, and again telling me about the power of attorney. He was talking about registering the power so he was able to act under it, but my advice was that I would not act without knowing more about Ms Bailey’s circumstances.

“On this occasion he was very anxious. He was not at all pleased to hear the news I was not able to proceed with the transaction, it did not go down well.

“He was shrugging his shoulders. He didn’t hang around and left fairly quickly.

“He wanted to take the papers back with him, but I said I couldn’t release them without Ms Bailey’s authority, and again this wasn’t well received.

“Although he was keen to get his hands on these papers there wasn’t really anything that would’ve helped.”


http://www.cambridge-news.co.uk/news/cambridge-news/helen-bailey-murder-trial-week-12452783

 

[scandinavian girl]

"My records showed that Helen was due to come into the office to see me on April 11, 2016, but my office was called and we heard that she would not be coming in because she was unwell".

Who called? If it was Helen was she feeling ill bcs she was given the sleepmeds, if it was IS just wow

 

[Alyce]

Court is adjourned

That is the end of Mr Penn’s evidence.

Jurors will now take a short break of 10 minutes, until 12.15pm.


http://www.cambridge-news.co.uk/news/cambridge-news/helen-bailey-murder-trial-week-12452783

 

[Cherwell]

Good to hear that the rat got nowhere with the solicitors. Bet he was squealing with frustration.

 

[Alyce]

"My records showed that Helen was due to come into the office to see me on April 11, 2016, but my office was called and we heard that she would not be coming in because she was unwell".

Who called? If it was Helen was she feeling ill bcs she was given the sleepmeds, if it was IS just wow

Indeed. Unless the news coverage is being restricted ( which does happen ) then I find it odd that the solicitors would not be able to say who called on that day. Any decent office keeps a call log.

 

[Alyce]

Stewart claimed to have power of attorney over Helen Bailey's affairs

Stewart tried to proceed with the transaction but was told the solicitors would like to speak to Helen directly in order to do so, the court was told.

Mr Penn said: “He told me he had a power of attorney to act on her behalf, but we would need some kind of direct contact with Helen”.

Mr Penn said that there was a due to be a further appointment with Helen on 2.30pm on April 8, but he assumes this to have been cancelled as it was crossed out in his diary.

A further appointment on April 11 was also cancelled.


http://www.cambridge-news.co.uk/news/cambridge-news/helen-bailey-murder-trial-week-12452783

BIB wasnt it April 7 that Helen spoke with her mother and said she had slept for 5 hours, following her breakfast...could have been still suffering after effects the following day

 

[Interested Bystander]

I have been looking for the legal status of someone who holds a POA but the subject of this had disappeared and I came across the following article on legal guardianship, which has not yet been made law. This point was brought up earlier in the thread. I suspect the full 7 years has to elapse until this new law is passed.


https://www.theguardian.com/money/2015/aug/01/what-happens-finances-missing-legistaltion-families

 

[Tortoise]

Helen Bailey's solicitor has told St Albans Crown Court her partner Ian Stewart asked if he could sell a flat she owned in her absence

Timothy Penn said Ian Stewart asked if he could use power of attorney to enable sale of Gateshead flat for £185000 after she went missing

https://twitter.com/RusshookeyITV

 

[Tortoise]

BIB wasnt it April 7 that Helen spoke with her mother and said she had slept for 5 hours, following her breakfast...could have been still suffering after effects the following day

I think she said the Wednesday which would have been the 6th April.

 

[Tortoise]

The pale blue shirt he wore to the afternoon surgery appointment seems to be a sticking point with the defence.

 

[Alyce]

WMSky ‏@wmarxsky 47s48 seconds ago

Helen Bailey Murder Trial: Jamie Stewart, son of defendant Ian Stewart, begins to testify. Confirms he lived in home where body was found

 

[Alyce]

I think she said the Wednesday which would have been the 6th April.

you're right - was the Wednesday 6th - so perhaps the April 8 appointment cancellation was not Helen feeling bad, just possibly preferred to do it on the following Monday

 

[Alyce]

WMSky ‏@wmarxsky 2m2 minutes ago

Helen Bailey Murder Trial: Defendant's son Jamie Stewart says he was out at work on day of alleged murder.