GUILTY UK - Sadie Hartley, 60, murdered, Helmshore, Lancs, 14 Jan 2016 #1

[Tortoise]

Another interesting line. Prosecution say Walsh paid Williams £43k in April 2015. Didn't say what it was for



https://twitter.com/AbanQuaynorLT

 

[Alyce]

Another interesting line. Prosecution say Walsh paid Williams £43k in April 2015. Didn't say what it was for



https://twitter.com/AbanQuaynorLT

There does seem to be some kind of unusual connection between these two. I dont know many friends ( well none actually ! ) who would help out with a murder. Was there some kind of obligation going on, some sort of debt owing.
On the other hand, Walsh could just be evil and twisted - her excitement at the possibility of being involved in a murder seems to be at the same level as her delight in getting a free week end in Germany.

 

[Tortoise]

First witness called is Julie Taylor business partner and friend of Sadie
Mrs Taylor said Ian and Sadie met in 2004 and a friendship developed in 2006. They became involved in serious 4 Yrs ago
Mrs Taylor said they moved in together in November 2014 in Helmshore
Sadie said to have be strong and independent but confidence was knocked when there was a break in at her house last year

https://twitter.com/AbanQuaynorLT

 

[Tortoise]

[h=3]First prosecution witness sworn in[/h][FONT=&quot]The first prosecution witness in the case, Julie Taylor, has been called and sworn in.[/FONT]
[FONT=&quot]She was Sadie Hartley’s business partner, forming a successful medical communication business with her in 2000.[/FONT]
[FONT=&quot]She says Sadie was her “best friend” and confided in her about her personal life.[/FONT]
[FONT=&quot]She says Sadie met Ski Instructor Ian Johnston around 2004 and they began a relationship in 2006.[/FONT]
[FONT=&quot]However Ms Taylor says it was an “on-off” relationship until around four years ago.[/FONT]
[FONT=&quot]The couple moved into the house on Sunnybank Road together in November 2014.[/FONT]
[FONT=&quot]She says Sadie was very independent and felt comfortable being home alone other than when they had a burglary in August 2014.

http://www.manchestereveningnews.co.uk/news/local-news/sadie-hartley-murder-trial-live-11573997[/FONT]

 

[Tortoise]

Mrs Taylor said Sadie raised concerns about security of house night before Ian left for skiing in January of this year

 

[Legally Bland]

Full letter for posterity.

The spurned woman sent the “spiteful” letter after her ex Ian Johnston, 57, began a new relationship with the older woman.

The letter read:

“Dear Sadie

“I think you should know that Ian has been cheating on you for over a year.

“He’s been having an affair with me since returning from Camp Suisse in August 2013.

“The sex is unbelievably fantastic, the best he’s ever had by a really, really long way. We have never been able to get enough of each other.

“It satisfied a need in him he will never really be able to suppress or manage without.

“Ian is stressed out and extremely depressed. His mental state is somewhat of a serious concern to me hence while I’m writing this.

“I feel you have played a significant part in getting him in the state he’s in now, which appears to be worsening by the day.

“Despite doing everything you have done so far, to buy him and trap him, he’s still lying to you, cheating and sleeping with me behind your back.

“Maybe it is about time that somebody told you.

“Probably it just goes to show you can buy and trap someone with money and blackmail but can’t make them love you or be faithful to you.

“Should you choose to talk to him about this bear in mind it was not a one off, an accident or mistake or any other form of excuse.

“This was a choice made freely, over and over and over again for now more than 12 months because it was what he wanted to do.

“Clearly these are not the actions of someone with any respect, desire, love or affection for you whatsoever.

“Should you wish to discuss anything here you are free to contact me.”​

http://www.mirror.co.uk/news/uk-news/sadie-hartley-murder-trial-live-8358756

 

[Tortoise]

Sadie told Mrs Taylor that she feared flower delivery could have been linked to burglary the previous October
Sadie raised concerns that someone delivered supermarket quality flowers at that time of night and they knew her name


https://twitter.com/AbanQuaynorLT

 

[Tortoise]

I'm wondering if the earlier break in could be linked to SW

 

[Tortoise]

'Very concerned' about flower delivery

[FONT=&amp]Ms Taylor says the couple both suffered setbacks in 2015.[/FONT]
[FONT=&amp]She says Ian Johnston’s mother was diagnosed with cancer which “devastated” him and Sadie also fell off a horse meaning her back was “shot at.”[/FONT]
[FONT=&amp]However she says the couple were still together up to January 2016, when she died.[/FONT]
[FONT=&amp]Ms Taylor says Sadie was “very concerned” about the delivery of the flowers on January 7th.[/FONT]
[FONT=&amp]She says: “She (Sadie) just couldn’t understand why anyone would turn up with a supermarket bunch of flowers at that time of night.”[/FONT]
[FONT=&amp]She says she feared it might be linked to the previous burglary and that “people might have personal details”

[/FONT]http://www.manchestereveningnews.co.uk/news/local-news/sadie-hartley-murder-trial-live-11573997

 

[Tortoise]

Mrs Taylor said she took a phone call from Ian after Sadie's death and he said police asked questions he couldn't answer


He also said he was now homeless and asked if Sadie had changed her will recently

Earlier that morning Mrs Taylor said she had spoken to him and Ian was crying down the phone

https://twitter.com/AbanQuaynorLT

 

[Tortoise]

Strange. They rented that house, I read.

 

[Tortoise]

Mrs Taylor said by the second phone call Ian had gone in to 'coping mode' as a retired fire chief

https://twitter.com/AbanQuaynorLT

 

[Tortoise]

Witness Anne Wood says Williams was 28 when she met her then boyfriend David Hardwick who is in his 70s

https://twitter.com/AbanQuaynorLT

 

[Tortoise]

[h=3]'Never heard' of two defendants[/h][FONT=&quot]Ms Taylor said she had never heard of Sarah Williams or Katrina Walsh.[/FONT]
[FONT=&quot]She says before Mr Johnston went away to Switzerland skiing she had concerns about safety at the house.[/FONT]
[FONT=&quot]She also says:[/FONT]

“She (Sadie) was very concerned he had lost his mother and that it had caused them to not have as close a relationship as they done over the previous months.”
​

[FONT=&quot]She says she took a call from Mr Johnston on the Saturday after Sadie’s death and he was “in pieces and crying.”[/FONT]
[FONT=&quot]However she says he pulled himself round and went into his “fire chief, coping mode”
http://www.manchestereveningnews.co.uk/news/local-news/sadie-hartley-murder-trial-live-11573997

[/FONT]

 

[Tortoise]

Anne Wood describes Sadie as lovely, quiet and interesting

https://twitter.com/AbanQuaynorLT

 

[Tortoise]

So this witness Anne Wood knew Sadie and Williams.

 

[Tortoise]

[h=3]Next witness takes to witness box[/h][FONT=&quot]The next witness is retired primary school teacher Anne Wood.[/FONT]
[FONT=&quot]She learned to ski at Chill Factore, where she met and became friendly with Sarah Williams.[/FONT]
[FONT=&quot]She says Miss Williams, who was 28 at the time, had a 74 year-old boyfriend, called David Hardwick.

http://www.manchestereveningnews.co.uk/news/local-news/sadie-hartley-murder-trial-live-11573997[/FONT]

 

[Alyce]

Strange. They rented that house, I read.

I wonder if the rental was all in Sadie's name ?

I remember that earlier MSM, pre trial, said Sadie had sold her house about a year prior to her murder and began to rent the Helmshore property ( which would fit with the move in date of November 2014 ).

 

[Tortoise]

Mrs Wood said she was aware that Williams was having relationship with Mr Johnston She thought Ian was the person for her

Mrs Wood said Williams was infatuated and obsessed with Mr Johnston

https://twitter.com/AbanQuaynorLT

 

[Alyce]

Anne Wood describes Sadie as lovely, quiet and interesting

https://twitter.com/AbanQuaynorLT

I wonder if he has mixed up the names as all the rest of Anne Wood's testimony seems to be about Williams


Edit Ah no, I suppose Wood could have known them both, as weren't they - IJ Sadie and Williams - all at a dinner together, so no reason why Wood could not also have known both of them.

Odd though that Wood says she thought IJ was the right person for Williams and then goes on to say that Williams was infatuated and obsessed with IJ. I wouldnt have thought that makes for a good relationship !