Found Deceased UK - Lindsay Birbeck, 47, Accrington, 12 Aug 2019 *Arrest* #2

[jamjim]

10:51

Jury told about the High Sheriff of Lancashire's presence in court

The Judge said the High Sheriff of Lancashire is sitting in court to observe the proceedings but will play no part in the case.

Lindsay Birbeck murder trial at Preston Crown Court - updates

 

[Alyce]

Can only find one reporter tweeting so far today
Mike Stevens
@MikeStevensBBC

 

[jamjim]

10:54

Jury bundles

Prosecutor David McLachlan QC has just handed to the jury two bundles which they will use to collate the evidence.

This includes maps, a timeline and names of the key people in the case.

Lindsay Birbeck murder trial at Preston Crown Court - updates

 

[LucyRocket]

10:51

Jury told about the High Sheriff of Lancashire's presence in court

The Judge said the High Sheriff of Lancashire is sitting in court to observe the proceedings but will play no part in the case.

Lindsay Birbeck murder trial at Preston Crown Court - updates

Why?

 

[LucyRocket]

10:54

Jury bundles

Prosecutor David McLachlan QC has just handed to the jury two bundles which they will use to collate the evidence.

This includes maps, a timeline and names of the key people in the case.

Lindsay Birbeck murder trial at Preston Crown Court - updates

Ooh

 

[jamjim]

Regarding the High Sheriff, found this on his official website:

"High Sheriff of Lancashire
The Official website of the office of High Sheriff of Lancashire

The High Sheriff is the Queen’s representative in the County

For all matters relating to the Judiciary and the maintenance of law and order. In current times the office of High Sheriff is held for one year and their main role is to protect and assist in upholding the dignity and wellbeing of HM Judges, together with other public duties in supporting and encouraging the voluntary sector and statutory organisations who work in this area. The office of High Sheriff is carried out on a voluntary basis. The High Sheriff does not receive any salary or expenses"

Home

Fancy photo of him on the website too if you're interested!

 

[jamjim]

11:00KEY EVENT
Prosecution case opens

Opening the case, Mr McLachlan said: “On Monday 12th August 2019, Lindsay Birbeck went shopping with her daughter to The Mall in Blackburn and from there to Asda in Accrington.

“A little after 1:30 pm Lindsay Birbeck dropped her daughter off. They arranged to meet up later about 6 pm that night.

“The plan was that Sarah and her boyfriend Brandon would go for tea that evening at Lindsay Birbeck’s house.

“Just after 4 pm, Lindsay Birbeck left her house on Burnley Road, Accrington, and walked along Burnley Road in the direction of the Accrington town centre.

“This was not unusual as she was a keep-fit enthusiast and enjoyed going for a walk. There is a Coppice (an area of woodland) near to her house where she would walk.

“That was the last time she was captured on CCTV alive.”

Lindsay Birbeck murder trial at Preston Crown Court - updates

 

[jamjim]

11:02

Lindsay was due to meet daughter and her boyfriend

At about 5 pm Sarah Birbeck and her boyfriend Brandon set off from her house. They arrived at Lindsay Birbeck’s house at Burnley Road. The door was locked. They got no answer.

They waited outside for about 1 hour but Lindsay Birbeck never returned. At about 5 pm Sarah Birbeck and her boyfriend Brandon set off from her house.

They arrived at Lindsay Birbeck’s house at Burnley Road. The door was locked. They got no answer. They waited outside for about 1 hour but Lindsay Birbeck never returned.

Sarah Birbeck was worried about her mum as it was out of character for her not to be at home when arrangements had been made.

She sent her messages and she called her. She got no reply. She messaged her mum’s best friend Sharon Griffiths.

Lindsay Birbeck murder trial at Preston Crown Court - updates

 

[jamjim]

11:03

"My ex-wife seems to have gone missing"

Sarah Birbeck later went to her mum’s house with her father Tim Birbeck. This time she took keys.

She opened the door and shouted for her mum. She got no answer.

The house seemed normal and there was nothing out of place.

Sarah Birbeck returned home and shortly after midnight Tim Birbeck contacted the police to report his estranged wife missing.

He told the operator:

My ex-wife seems to have gone missing and my daughter’s just got me up and been to her house and had a look and we can’t find her. It’s not like her”.

Lindsay Birbeck murder trial at Preston Crown Court - updates

 

[jamjim]

11:04
Police search launched

The jury have been told that Lancashire Constabulary commenced a missing-from-home investigation.

The police initially concentrated their efforts on The Coppice. Specially trained police search officers and other resources assisted with the searches.

At the time of the last sighting on CCTV, Lindsay Birbeck had been wearing a purple Rab jacket, a Fitbit watch, Skechers trainers, black leggings and a white/blue pinstripe top.

She also had with her house keys and a mobile phone.

Lindsay Birbeck murder trial at Preston Crown Court - updates

 

[LucyRocket]

The Roles of The High Sheriff
The High Sheriff is the Queen’s representative in the County for all matters relating to the Judiciary and the maintenance of law and order; much of the High Sheriff’s year is therefore spent supporting and encouraging the voluntary and statutory organisations who work in this area. In Lancashire this means involvement with the Crown and Magistrates’ Courts, the Police, Prison and Probation Services.

Traditionally High Sheriffs look after High Court Judges visiting the county.

Roles

You might have known this, I didn't

 

[jamjim]

11:05
'Worst fears came true'

In addition to the emergency services many members of the local community also went looking for Lindsay Birbeck.

Mr McLachlan told the jury: “On Saturday 24th August 2019 - 12 days after she had gone missing - the worst fears of the community were to come true.”

Lindsay Birbeck murder trial at Preston Crown Court - updates

 

[jamjim]

11:06
Lindsay's body found in 'makeshift grave' by dog walker
Morgan Parkinson was out walking his dog in the grounds of the Accrington Cemetery.

The dog had gone into a wooded area and when Morgan Parkinson followed, he stood on something soft and saw what looked like a leg.

He called the police. The police arrived and discovered a body that had been buried in a makeshift grave.

It would later be discovered that this was the body of Lindsay Birbeck who had gone missing 12 days earlier.

Lindsay Birbeck murder trial at Preston Crown Court - updates

 

[jamjim]

11:07

Post-mortem examination
On Monday 26th August, Home Office pathologist Dr Naomi Carter conducted a post-mortem on the body of Lindsay Birbeck.

Mr McLachland said due to the passage of time the body had decomposed.

However, Dr Carter was able to determine that the cause of death was neck injuries.

The jury were told that Lindsay Birbeck had ‘not died from natural causes’.

Lindsay Birbeck murder trial at Preston Crown Court - updates

 

[jamjim]

11:07
'Race on to catch killer'
Mr McLachlan told the jury: “The race was now on to catch her killer. The prosecution case is that her killer is the young man in the dock.”

Lindsay Birbeck murder trial at Preston Crown Court - updates

 

[LucyRocket]

Regarding the High Sheriff, found this on his official website:

"High Sheriff of Lancashire
The Official website of the office of High Sheriff of Lancashire

The High Sheriff is the Queen’s representative in the County

For all matters relating to the Judiciary and the maintenance of law and order. In current times the office of High Sheriff is held for one year and their main role is to protect and assist in upholding the dignity and wellbeing of HM Judges, together with other public duties in supporting and encouraging the voluntary sector and statutory organisations who work in this area. The office of High Sheriff is carried out on a voluntary basis. The High Sheriff does not receive any salary or expenses"

Home

Fancy photo of him on the website too if you're interested!

Derek Trotter is the sheriff?

 

[jamjim]

11:12
Family background
Jurors have been told that Lindsay Birbeck and Tim Birbeck split up in around July 2018. However, they continued to live together until March 2019.

In March 2019, Lindsay Birbeck moved to her own house on Burnley Road, Accrington. Both Lindsay and Tim started new relationships.

They have two children: Sarah and Steven.

Lindsay Birbeck murder trial at Preston Crown Court - updates

 

[jamjim]

11:14
Lindsay's movements before she went missing
On Monday 12th August 2019, Sarah Birbeck arranged to go out with her mother shopping. Just after 11:53 am. Lindsay Birbeck and Sarah Birbeck arrived at The Mall in Blackburn.

They stayed for just under one hour. They then made their way to Asda in Accrington and left after 1:30 pm.

Lindsay Birbeck dropped her daughter Sarah off at her home address. They parted on the understanding that Lindsay Birbeck would be making tea that night for Sarah and her boyfriend Brandon.

Lindsay Birbeck murder trial at Preston Crown Court - updates

 

[jamjim]

11:17
The defendant's movements before Lindsay's disappearance
Mr McLachlan told the jury that at about 2:24 pm the defendant walked up Whitewell Road towards Burnley Road in Accrington. He was captured on camera.

The police were able to follow the movements of the teenager on different CCTV.

At 2.27pm he was observed walking up Burnley Road in the direction of the Whitakers Arms restaurant. Before he got to the Whitakers Arms he turned right off Burnley Road..

Lindsay Birbeck murder trial at Preston Crown Court - updates

 

[jamjim]

11:19
Lindsay Birbeck text mesages
At 3:09 pm, Lindsay Birbeck sent a message to Sharon Griffiths.

Between 3:20 pm and 3:41 pm Lindsay Birbeck exchanged messages with her new partner Rob Chaplow.

Just after 4 pm Lindsay Birbeck was observed walking down Burnley Road in the direction of Accrington town centre. She was captured by various CCTV cameras.

Mr McLachland said she was wearing a ‘distinctive jacket’.

Lindsay Birbeck murder trial at Preston Crown Court - updates