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

[Cherwell]

I couldn't find a link for Helen and Boris/Dogs trust either so I'd be happy to have a link posted too

Here it is

 

[MillyM]

He was in court today. Has pleaded not guilty!

The partner of the children’s author Helen Bailey has pleaded not guilty to her murder, almost three months after her body was found, along with that of her pet dachshund, in the grounds of her home.

Ian Stewart, 55, appeared at St Albans crown court, where he also pleaded not guilty to fraud, preventing the lawful and decent burial of a dead body, and perverting the course of justice. He was held on remand until a trial early next year.

Stewart, a computer expert, had reported his 51-year-old wife missing on 15 April, telling police she had left the home they shared in Royston, Hertfordshire, and not returned.
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Friends initially said they believed the author went to the couple’s holiday home in Broadstairs, Kent. Then, in July, officers found her body after searching the grounds of the home.

Bailey was the author of 22 published books of short stories, picture books and young-adult fiction. She was best known for creating the Electra Brown and Daisy Davenport books for teenagers.

In more recent years she had developed another audience with Planet Grief, a blog about the complexities of grieving and trying to make sense of the death of her first husband, John Sinfield, who drowned during a holiday in Barbados in 2011. She turned the blog into a memoir, When Bad Things Happen in Good Bikinis.

https://www.theguardian.com/uk-news...s-partner-pleads-not-guilty-to-her?CMP=twt_gu

 

[MillyM]

http://www.royston-crow.co.uk/news/...t_guilty_to_royston_author_s_murder_1_4733309

Mr Stewart – who lives in Baldock Road, Royston, and is originally from Letchworth – pleaded not guilty to murder, perverting the course of justice and preventing lawful burial when he appeared at St Albans Crown Court. He was remanded in custody.

The 55-year-old’s next scheduled court appearance is a pre-trial review hearing on December 16. The trial is set to start on January 9, 2017.

Author Helen went missing with her dog Boris on April 11. Her body and that of Boris were found within the grounds of the house she shared with Mr Stewart in July.

 

[Alyce]

Thanks for the updates Milly. I had him down for Court this Friday.

So, a not guilty plea. What a surprise - not . I can imagine his story already, two very likely ones come to mind.

I do wish they would not refer to Helen as his wife.

 

[MillyM]

Yes, I thought it was Friday too.

I did somehow wonder if he may go for NG after the reports of him shaking his head as charges were read out on his last court appearance. Can't wait for this trial to get underway to see what he has to say for himself.

 

[Ironside]

So is he going to say she fell into the cesspit with Boris?

 

[Alyce]

Helen's memorial service is tomorrow in London.

I hope all her real friends do her proud - am sure they will.


The Memorial Service for licensing agent and children’s author, Helen Bailey, will take place on Saturday November 26.

The service will begin at 11.30am at St James’ Piccadilly, London W1J 9LL, with all welcome to attend.

As Helen loved to dress for an occasion, those coming along should feel free to wear something that will make them feel fabulous.

A special Facebook page has been set up for people to confirm their attendance.


( note: the FB link is shown on the page )


http://licensingsource.net/helen-bailey-memorial-set-for-november-26/

 

[MillyM]

This blog is a reading Emily Thomas, Helen Bailey's editor, will give at her memorial service on Saturday 26th November. Helen Bailey died earlier this year.

I first met Helen six years ago when I was an editor at Hachette, the publishing home of her novels for teenagers. It was at the annual author party – on the top floor of a swanky private member’s club in Soho. We’d both become distracted by the view through a back window of an apparently stark-naked man doing the ironing in his kitchen. The m.d.’s speech was accompanied by our stifled laughter every time this well-toned man turned to fetch another shirt off the laundry pile and we got a glimpse of his butt. We wondered why on earth he was ironing, starkers and at three in the afternoon. Helen came up with a detailed and highly entertaining backstory for him, which had us in stitches. I seem to remember a discussion on bags and shoes, and an inquisition on my relationship status, too. Helen’s wit and imagination, her curiosity about people, was charming and seductive. If I had been at school with Helen I would have hung around her, vying to be her best friend. I became her editor, lucky enough to work with her on her last three books, and luckier still to become her friend.



Helen Bailey, who died earlier this year.

Defying the rather unfair stereotype of the children’s author, Helen would pitch up at meetings, and publishing events, a glossy brunette in a glamorous Diane Von Furstenberg dress, elegant heels at the ends of her long legs; her multi-coloured biro for note-taking or signings hidden in her Alexander McQueen bag, along with a few poop bags left over from walks with her adored Boris. When Helen stepped out of the limo at one Queen of Teen Awards do, it was as though a Bond Girl had wandered into the grounds of St Trinian’s, or Grange Hill.

Helen never lost sight of her teenage self, and this was her gift to her teenage readers. Through her characters she is always present: a mischievous, imaginative, slightly theatrical, and astute teenager, with an infectious sense of fun. Her skill as a writer was to both completely understand the emotional landscape of her readers, and make them laugh through the mayhem of adolescence. It was this same innate understanding of the human condition, beautifully articulated, that is so powerful in When Bad Things Happen in Good Bikinis – the book of her hugely inspiring Planet Grief blogs.

The world was a better place with the talented, warm and charismatic Helen Bailey in it. I will miss her mischievous smile, her kindness, her wicked sense of humour, her courage, and of course the books she had yet to write. But just like Electra, Daisy, Topaz and Channy – her fictional heroines, Helen was too vivid, too vital, and too important, to ever disappear.

Emily Thomas is publisher at Blink Reality.

 

[Alyce]

Thanks for that Milly.

I have just been reading through the FB page ( link on my earlier post ) and the comments that people have left, following the service yesterday. Cant copy them over because it is FB, but they make excellent reading. It is very clear that Helen was a much loved lady and a great friend to many.

It appears that there has been a private funeral for Helen ( I would expect that was in Northumbria ) and attendees yesterday commented how extremely kind it was of Helen's brother and brother in law to then organise this memorial for her friends and those who had never met Helen, but had been helped by her writing and the Planet Grief blog.

 

[JerricaBenton]

She appeared to be a well loved and respected woman. I wonder what his motive was?

 

[LozDa]

She appeared to be a well loved and respected woman. I wonder what his motive was?

With spousal killings, it's almost always an affair, money and/or rage.

I'm going with a mix of money/rage.

I think Helen threatened to leave and this didn't want to lose his nice lifestyle afforded to him by Helen. I also really hope the circumstances of the first wife's death is being investigated fully too.

Marking my spot for the trial in February.

 

[JerricaBenton]

With spousal killings, it's almost always an affair, money and/or rage.

I'm going with a mix of money/rage.

I think Helen threatened to leave and this didn't want to lose his nice lifestyle afforded to him by Helen. I also really hope the circumstances of the first wife's death is being investigated fully too.

Marking my spot for the trial in February.

I think I agree with you there.

 

[Alyce]

With spousal killings, it's almost always an affair, money and/or rage.

I'm going with a mix of money/rage.

I think Helen threatened to leave and this didn't want to lose his nice lifestyle afforded to him by Helen. I also really hope the circumstances of the first wife's death is being investigated fully too.

Marking my spot for the trial in February.

Yep, that's it in a nutshell for me. He and his family were doing very nicely on the back of Helen's money and he didnt want to see that disappear.

Far as I know he only had the one wife ? but I agree, I do hope the police are investigating her death thoroughly.

Also, hoping Helen's will has been done properly in favour of her family and friends.

PS the Trial begins January 9

 

[LozDa]

Yep, that's it in a nutshell for me. He and his family were doing very nicely on the back of Helen's money and he didnt want to see that disappear.

Far as I know he only had the one wife ? but I agree, I do hope the police are investigating her death thoroughly.

Also, hoping Helen's will has been done properly in favour of her family and friends.

PS the Trial begins January 9

BBM - Yes, that's me overstating, apologies. I meant ex-wife

And thanks for the heads up on the trial; I'm almost certain I read somewhere it was February... With the amount of cases I'm following at the moment........ :gaah: Haha! Thank you!

 

[MillyM]

I think there will be much more to come out about his character and lots perhaps known to others that is not currently in the public domain. Always the way.

Motive? Money? Was his own business solvent or was he perhaps going under and *maybe* she had found out some irregularities and suspected him. I still would like to know what the relationship was like between her and his two sons.

 

[Alyce]

Have just been checking the listings for next week but can't see anything, so have to presume all is set for next Monday.

However, looking at the previous court appearances I see that, as well as the hearing on October 12, where IS put in a not guilty plea to murder -

12-10-2016 St Albans 1 T20167121
ian stewart
Details: - No Information To Display -
Plea and Trial Preparation - Case Started - 14:58
Plea and Trial Preparation - Hearing finished for IAN STEWART - 15:22





There was also a hearing on October 27 for bail -



27-10-2016 St Albans 1 T20167121
ian stewart
Details: For Application for Bail - Case Started - 10:26
For Application for Bail - Hearing finished for IAN STEWART - 10:45



I can't find any record in the Law Pages of the December 16 pre trial hearing, which has been mentioned in several MSM sources.

The 55-year-old’s next scheduled court appearance is a pre-trial review hearing on December 16. The trial is set to start on January 9, 2017.

http://www.thecomet.net/news/helen_...t_guilty_to_royston_author_s_murder_1_4733309

 

[cottonweaver]

Thankyou, this has been in my calendar for months now so good to hear it is on schedule.

 

[mrazda71]

Thankyou, this has been in my calendar for months now so good to hear it is on schedule.

Relieved to know I'm not the only one who puts trial dates in my calender! 😉😅

 

[Alyce]

Me too, or me three, re the calendar !

I am very interested to follow this case as I am wondering what story IS is going to tell. That is, of course, if he is going to tell any story at all. He may just remain silent - although I would think that would work against him.
Or is he perhaps going to plead guilty to manslaughter ? Far as I can see he has only put in a NG plea to the charges, and the charge is murder. Having said that, I don't suppose he could go for a guilty manslaughter plea but then still be pleading not guilty to the prevention of lawful burial etc..

Do hope we get some good coverage.

 

[LozDa]

Me too, or me three, re the calendar !

I am very interested to follow this case as I am wondering what story IS is going to tell. That is, of course, if he is going to tell any story at all. He may just remain silent - although I would think that would work against him.
Or is he perhaps going to plead guilty to manslaughter ? Far as I can see he has only put in a NG plea to the charges, and the charge is murder. Having said that, I don't suppose he could go for a guilty manslaughter plea but then still be pleading not guilty to the prevention of lawful burial etc..

Do hope we get some good coverage.

Yes, I'm interested in what story he's going with. Also interested what his legal advice has been, as IMO, almost all defence and claims of 'Not Guilty' are eradicated by one little important detail called Boris.