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

[Alyce]

Snipped this but there is much more at the link


Septic Tanks A septic tank is similar to a cesspool, but has the important difference that it only stores the solid material and allows partly treated liquid (effluent) to run away from the tank, either to further treatment, or to a system of underground land drains.

The raw sewage enters the septic tank via an inlet pipe, which slows down the velocity of the sewage and does not disturb the surface as it enters the tank. As the water slows, it cannot carry so much solid material in suspension and a sludge drops to the bottom of the tank. Due to the very slow movement through the tank, a scum (known as the crust) will form on the top surface of the tank. This allows the growth of anaerobic (oxygen hating) bacteria. These bacteria set about digesting or breaking down the solid material at the bottom of the tank, and turn it into liquid form, which then leaves the tank via the outlet. Not all the solid material will be broken down by this action so that over a period of time there is a build-up of sludge which has to be pumped out by a licensed contractor every 12 months depending upon usage.



http://www.sweeptech.co.uk/septic-t...d-treatment-plant-installation-and-servicing/

 

[Cherwell]

Looks like we won't be hearing from Helen's mother today then. Unless one of the recordings is her.

 

[Alyce]

So if I am reading this correctly, an older tank would struggle with detergents and bleaches in the system and would be less likely to clear itself out efficiently ?


Modern septic tank systems, as shown, tend to be designed on the use of gravity as the main process of separating the solids from the sewage effluent.

Now that we use a significantly higher amount of water and household cleaners in our everyday lives it is very difficult to achieve a good anaerobic action in septic tanks. If you have a modern tank unit, using bleaches and detergents (in normal quantities) should not present any adverse effects.

With more traditional tank systems you are more susceptible to problems due to bleaches and detergents. If the tank is of a small capacity or has only one chamber then you may find the soakaway will have a reduced lifespan.

http://www.sweeptech.co.uk/septic-t...d-treatment-plant-installation-and-servicing/

 

[Alyce]

Looks like we won't be hearing from Helen's mother today then. Unless one of the recordings is her.

Am thinking she has been rescheduled for next week rather than having her * on hold * so to speak over the past few days. Hope this delay is not affecting her too much.

 

[Cherwell]

I am wondering if this is police speak for the dreaded health and safety rules - couldnt attempt to do something outside of their normal search parameters - had to wait until they had the necessary equipment ( it says they did make an attempt, but perhaps were told to leave it until the necessary tool was brought to open it )

That fits! Prosecution really needed to bring that out though. Perhaps they did, we're not hearing every word.

 

[Alyce]

The trial resumes

We’re now back and jurors are coming in.

Sergeant Oliphant is being recalled to the stand, to deal with a small matter.

The cesspit cover is being shown to jurors in the court room. Sergeant Oliphant has lifted this up.

On the top of the cover, there is a warning label which says ‘Danger! Unsafe structure’. The label was put on by police, he confirms.

He is confirming that the cover is the same cover at the time, back in July last year.

http://www.cambridge-news.co.uk/incoming/helen-bailey-murder-trial-case-12475974

 

[Alyce]

Kate Bradbrook ‏@katebradbrook 10m10 minutes ago

#helenbailey case Sgt Oliphant describes moment he broke crust of cesspit & could see an arm

 

[Alyce]

Kate Bradbrook ‏@katebradbrook 8m8 minutes ago

#helenbailey case Sgt Oliphant showing jury metal lid of cesspit which he lifts up. Wooden insert in middle.

 

[Alyce]

How the missing person investigation unfolded

The next witness is police constable Darren Woodhouse, with a statement to be read.

In the statement, PC Woodhouse says that at 3pm on April 15, he was on call when he was phoned about the disappearance of Helen Bailey.

“We agreed that the last time Helen was seen was at the home address. It was agreed that I would try and arrange for a search of the home to take place.

“At 8am on Tuesday April 18 I was on duty and was at a police briefing.

“It was stressed during the briefing that this was a missing person investigation and that Helen’s partner, Ian Stewart, was not to be unnecessarily upset.

“Stewart had consented that we could search the house but he could ask us to leave at any time.

“We were told that there was nothing to suggest Helen had come to harm but that it was always a possibility.”


http://www.cambridge-news.co.uk/incoming/helen-bailey-murder-trial-case-12475974


My edit, Tuesday was April 19,

 

[ZaZara]

So if I am reading this correctly, an older tank would struggle with detergents and bleaches in the system and would be less likely to clear itself out efficiently ?


Modern septic tank systems, as shown, tend to be designed on the use of gravity as the main process of separating the solids from the sewage effluent.

Now that we use a significantly higher amount of water and household cleaners in our everyday lives it is very difficult to achieve a good anaerobic action in septic tanks. If you have a modern tank unit, using bleaches and detergents (in normal quantities) should not present any adverse effects.

With more traditional tank systems you are more susceptible to problems due to bleaches and detergents. If the tank is of a small capacity or has only one chamber then you may find the soakaway will have a reduced lifespan.

http://www.sweeptech.co.uk/septic-t...d-treatment-plant-installation-and-servicing/

If I remember well, the house had two cesspits, or one was a septic tank, and initially only the second tank was inspected. Because the police thought that was the main one. IMHO there would not have been a need to empty the cesspit regularly or at all.

The crust seems very thick for a household with 4 persons, shower, diswasher, washing machine etc. Not to mention toilets with flushing water.

I'm curious to hear more.

 

[Alyce]

Stewart 'followed officers around the house'

PC Woodhouse said during a search of the house on the same day, Stewart showed him and sergeant Oliphant into every room in the house, then took them into the garage.

Stewart indicated the cars inside, and which car belonged to which person.

“At 10.30am the same day the search commenced, with 14 police officers. Each pair of officers were tasked with an area to search.

“They were tasked to find a note reportedly left by Helen, a laptop, desktop computers, a passport, anything to indicate she could have come to harm, a blood soiled duvet, a purse and any personal items.

“Stewart was present at the duration of the search. He followed several officers around, watching them closely. At other stages he would say it was ‘all too much’ and retire to the main bedroom. It appeared he had had a major operation and was bleeding slightly from it.


http://www.cambridge-news.co.uk/incoming/helen-bailey-murder-trial-case-12475974

 

[Alyce]

Police find first cesspit in the garden

PC Woodhouse added: “At 3.10pm, PC Williams made me aware of an underground tank in the rear garden behind the garage.

“I went outside and looked inside the tank. It was full with a brown sludge type substance.

“I used a plank of wood to see how deep it was but could not confirm its size or depth. Stewart came outside at this point, I asked him about the tank and when it had last been drained.

“He said he was not aware of the tank, and to his knowledge, it had never been emptied.

“He said he was aware of the tank access cover, but only used to mow the grass around it. I noted the tank as a ‘search re-task’. We later left the premises.”


http://www.cambridge-news.co.uk/incoming/helen-bailey-murder-trial-case-12475974

 

[Alyce]

Police drain the first cesspit

“At 8pm on April 20 I briefed another team of officers. At 9.30pm we searched a wooded area opposite the house. This area is known as Royston/Thurfield Heath - an area popular with dog walkers.

“At 9.31am on April 22 we returned to the Royston house with Norfolk Fire and Rescue Service. I explained to him why we were there and what we intended to do.

“He consented to this and escorted us to the access hatch to the external septic tank. We removed the hatch and looked inside.

“It was still full with brown sludge. The fire service team examined the team and two contractors arrived at the house to drain the tank.

“At 10am the same day the tank began to be drained. The final 30cm of solid waste was probed to the very bottom. Nothing was located inside. The senior investigating officer wanted no further action and the tank cover was replaced.

“At 1pm the same day a search of the house and the grounds with the victim recovery dog was completed.”


http://www.cambridge-news.co.uk/incoming/helen-bailey-murder-trial-case-12475974


My comment - so it seems the term * septic tank expert * which was used by the police at the time, was a bit of an exaggeration

 

[Alyce]

Ian Stewart 'was not allowing a search team to return to the house'

“At 9.30 May 18 I was on duty and was briefed. All officers were in plain clothes to avoid upsetting Stewart during a further search, because this was still a missing person’s inquiry.

“We were told Stewart was not allowing a search team to return to the house.”


http://www.cambridge-news.co.uk/incoming/helen-bailey-murder-trial-case-12475974

 

[Alyce]

Stewart 'didn't appear to want to be interviewed'

The next witness is Detective Constable Holly Danes. She went to see Stewart with her colleague.

“The first visit was to attend a video recorded interview with him to obtain details of his last movements.

“We said we needed to conduct an interview with him. Stewart didn’t appear as if he wanted to be interviewed, he said to us he didn’t see the point of doing another interview with the police.

“He kept cutting us short when we were trying to ask him to do a witness interview with us. We pressed the issue, but again he didn’t want to do the interview with us.

“He said he wasn’t feeling well, he said he couldn’t be bothered. He seemed non-committal with us.

“Stewart said he felt officers made him feel uncomfortable, that they were asking questions he should know the answers to but that he didn’t know the answers.

“Towards the end we put him at ease slightly, but he didn’t agree to be interviewed on that particular day.”


http://www.cambridge-news.co.uk/incoming/helen-bailey-murder-trial-case-12475974

 

[Katharine]

Did he add something to make this 'crust' over the top? Otherwise how did Helen's body end up underneath it?

Glad to see that others have questions I have such as 2 policeman to lift lid and your questions. If crusts happen and are some what thick if I understood that correctly then how would a body and a dog be put into a crust if you get my long winded question?? All done by a sickly post surgery IS. Hopefully all will be made clear.

 

[Alyce]

Stewart took me by shock' says detective

“We tried to make alternative arrangements [for an interview] so we suggested he got a good night’s sleep and that we could come the next day.

“Stewart took me by shock on a couple of occasions, as he snapped at me when I pushed to do the interview with him.

“I told him it was really important, that his excuses of being ill weren’t good enough, and we needed to obtain this information to find his fiance who was missing.

“He was slouched in the chair. Eye contact was limited, he felt uneasy in our presence.

“He appeared anxious, he didn’t want us there.


http://www.cambridge-news.co.uk/incoming/helen-bailey-murder-trial-case-12475974

 

[Interested Bystander]

Stewart took me by shock' says detective

“We tried to make alternative arrangements [for an interview] so we suggested he got a good night’s sleep and that we could come the next day.

“Stewart took me by shock on a couple of occasions, as he snapped at me when I pushed to do the interview with him.

“I told him it was really important, that his excuses of being ill weren’t good enough, and we needed to obtain this information to find his fiance who was missing.

“He was slouched in the chair. Eye contact was limited, he felt uneasy in our presence.

“He appeared anxious, he didn’t want us there.


http://www.cambridge-news.co.uk/incoming/helen-bailey-murder-trial-case-12475974

BIB

Sounds as though he did have a temper underlying his easy going nature. He must have been quite stressed at this point and wondering where all this questioning was going. Tough!

 

[Alyce]

Restless' Stewart was 'upset' when search dogs were used

“Stewart told us he would see us the following day. So went to his house, where a search was being carried out of the house.

“He was really anxious, pacing around, quite stressed out, speaking quickly, saying he didn’t know these people were going to be there today.

“He said he wouldn’t be able to be interviewed that day due to what was happening in the house. He appeared to be quite upset at the search which was being conducted, with a police dog.

“He was restless, packing round the house, asking what they were doing.

“He continued to look out onto the back garden whilst officers were searching.

“There was conversation about potential sightings of Helen in the media.

“DC Lockwood spoke to Stewart and we said we would call him after the search team had left.

“We asked him what his concerns and worries were - he was referring to things being broken in the house.

“He said he was worried about ornaments being broken. He was asked if he wanted someone with him so that he could be calmer.”

http://www.cambridge-news.co.uk/incoming/helen-bailey-murder-trial-case-12475974

 

[mrjitty]

Yes, possibly. Seems a rather large crust for 3 months - although I'n no expert on the life of cess pits !

Fortunately, he clearly doesn't read any detective fiction or writer websites - otherwise a large dose of lye into the pit and there would have been nothing to find

Was this an active system?

I would have though the house would be on the main town sewerage system

I have some experience with a 3 chamber biological system.