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| Life in prison for cleaner killer | Life in prison for cleaner killer |
| (10 minutes later) | |
| A man with a fascination with knives has been jailed for life after being found guilty of murdering a cleaner. | A man with a fascination with knives has been jailed for life after being found guilty of murdering a cleaner. |
| Gary Chester-Nash had denied stabbing 59-year-old Jean Bowditch nine times as she cleaned a bungalow in Carbis Bay, Cornwall, in October 2005. | Gary Chester-Nash had denied stabbing 59-year-old Jean Bowditch nine times as she cleaned a bungalow in Carbis Bay, Cornwall, in October 2005. |
| The 28-year-old, of no fixed address, was told he would have to serve a minimum of 30 years. | The 28-year-old, of no fixed address, was told he would have to serve a minimum of 30 years. |
| Mr Justice Owen said he showed a "chilling attitude" towards his victim and was "an extremely dangerous man". | Mr Justice Owen said he showed a "chilling attitude" towards his victim and was "an extremely dangerous man". |
| Violent crimes like this cast a shadow over a family which will never, ever be removed Mr Justice Owen | Violent crimes like this cast a shadow over a family which will never, ever be removed Mr Justice Owen |
| He told Truro Crown Court Mrs Bowditch was a "wholly innocent victim" who tragically crossed paths with him. | He told Truro Crown Court Mrs Bowditch was a "wholly innocent victim" who tragically crossed paths with him. |
| "You displayed chilling arrogance, clearly believing you were beyond the law and were able to outwit the police," the judge said. | "You displayed chilling arrogance, clearly believing you were beyond the law and were able to outwit the police," the judge said. |
| "You are an extremely dangerous man." | "You are an extremely dangerous man." |
| Chester-Nash was released on 5 October last year from Pentonville Prison after serving a sentence for burglary, and travelled to Cornwall the next day. | Chester-Nash was released on 5 October last year from Pentonville Prison after serving a sentence for burglary, and travelled to Cornwall the next day. |
| The mother-of-two was stabbed nine timesThe court was told it was clear that Chester-Nash had gone to the bungalow on 12 October intending to burgle it and had taken a knife, or knives, which he was prepared to use if the need arose. | The mother-of-two was stabbed nine timesThe court was told it was clear that Chester-Nash had gone to the bungalow on 12 October intending to burgle it and had taken a knife, or knives, which he was prepared to use if the need arose. |
| He then stabbed Mrs Bowditch nine times as she cleaned the bungalow in Wayside, and left her to die in a pool of blood. | He then stabbed Mrs Bowditch nine times as she cleaned the bungalow in Wayside, and left her to die in a pool of blood. |
| Just days before the killing the court heard the defendant told a girl he met that one of the knives in his possession, stolen from a boat in Penzance, "would be good to kill someone with". | Just days before the killing the court heard the defendant told a girl he met that one of the knives in his possession, stolen from a boat in Penzance, "would be good to kill someone with". |
| The judge said Chester-Nash lied and lied, "twisting and turning" in an attempt to fabricate a story which would enable him to escape the consequences of his "murderous attack". | The judge said Chester-Nash lied and lied, "twisting and turning" in an attempt to fabricate a story which would enable him to escape the consequences of his "murderous attack". |
| He even invented a fictional character he tried to pass off as the murderer and sought to explain blood on his shoe by saying he had lifted Mrs Bowditch's body and held a telephone to her mouth in an effort to exculpate him for the attack. | He even invented a fictional character he tried to pass off as the murderer and sought to explain blood on his shoe by saying he had lifted Mrs Bowditch's body and held a telephone to her mouth in an effort to exculpate him for the attack. |
| During the trial, prosecutor Geoffrey Mercer QC said Chester-Nash, a man with a "fascination for knives", killed Mrs Bowditch in a "horrific" attack. | During the trial, prosecutor Geoffrey Mercer QC said Chester-Nash, a man with a "fascination for knives", killed Mrs Bowditch in a "horrific" attack. |
| On the day of the murder Chester-Nash left Carbis Bay and went to Truro, where he was arrested at the railway station by Pc Kevin Quick on suspicion of stealing a sandwich at St Erth earlier. | On the day of the murder Chester-Nash left Carbis Bay and went to Truro, where he was arrested at the railway station by Pc Kevin Quick on suspicion of stealing a sandwich at St Erth earlier. |
| The judge said a victim assessment statement from Mrs Bowditch's husband Michael spoke of the "desolation" the family had suffered. | The judge said a victim assessment statement from Mrs Bowditch's husband Michael spoke of the "desolation" the family had suffered. |
| It said: "Violent crimes like this cast a shadow over a family which will never, ever be removed." | It said: "Violent crimes like this cast a shadow over a family which will never, ever be removed." |
| Chester-Nash was also sentenced to a total of two years' imprisonment for two burglaries he committed in Cornwall and the theft of a sandwich, which led to his arrest. | Chester-Nash was also sentenced to a total of two years' imprisonment for two burglaries he committed in Cornwall and the theft of a sandwich, which led to his arrest. |