This article is from the source 'independent' and was first published or seen on . It last changed over 40 days ago and won't be checked again for changes.

You can find the current article at its original source at http://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/crime/helen-bailey-verdict-murder-guilty-killing-fiance-ian-stewart-court-trial-latest-a7593221.html

The article has changed 3 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 1 Version 2
Helen Bailey murder verdict: Fiance guilty of killing children's author Helen Bailey murder verdict: Fiance guilty of killing children's author
(about 4 hours later)
Helen Bailey's partner has been convicted of drugging and killing the millionaire children's author in a long-planned plot to get hold of her money. The partner of bestselling children’s author Helen Bailey has been convicted of drugging and killing her in a long-planned plot to get hold of her £3.3 million estate.
Ian Stewart, 56, secretly spent months poisoning the Electra Brown writer with sedatives, then smothered her once she had been stupefied in April last year. Ian Stewart, 56, secretly spent months poisoning the Electra Brown series writer with sedatives, then smothered her once she had been stupefied in April last year.
Her body was found in a cesspit beneath the couple's Hertfordshire home three months later. Her body was found in a cesspit beneath the couple’s Hertfordshire home three months later.
Following a six-week trial at St Albans Crown Court, a jury of five women and seven men found Stewart guilty of murder, fraud, three counts of perverting the course of justice and preventing a lawful burial.Following a six-week trial at St Albans Crown Court, a jury of five women and seven men found Stewart guilty of murder, fraud, three counts of perverting the course of justice and preventing a lawful burial.
Stewart scoped out the vulnerable widow on the internet in 2011 - earning his way into her trust and later her £3.3 million estate after launching a "love-bombing" offensive. Stewart scoped out the vulnerable widow on the internet in 2011 – earning his way into her trust and later her estate after launching a “love-bombing” offensive.
"She was being grossly deceived by someone who was preying on her," prosecutor Stuart Trimmer told his trial. “She was being grossly deceived by someone who was preying on her,” prosecutor Stuart Trimmer told his trial.
Over many weeks, Stewart surreptitiously fed Ms Bailey his prescription anti-insomnia drug, Zopiclone, possibly by slipping it into her morning scrambled eggs. Over many weeks, Stewart surreptitiously fed Bailey his prescription anti-insomnia drug, Zopiclone, possibly by slipping it into her morning scrambled eggs.
She soon became panicked by her deteriorating state of mind, searching online for terms such as "can't stop falling asleep" and expressing concern to loved ones. She soon became panicked by her deteriorating state of mind, searching online for terms such as “can’t stop falling asleep” and expressing concern to loved ones.
A pillowcase found next to the author's body led the prosecution to suggest Stewart used a pillow to smother her while she was sedated. A pillowcase found next to the author’s body led the prosecution to suggest Stewart used a pillow to smother her while she was sedated.
Ms Bailey, known for her young adult stories and memoir on bereavement, was finally found submerged in a tank of human sewage underneath the couple's garage on 15 July last year. Bailey, known for her young adult stories and memoir on bereavement, was finally found submerged in a tank of human sewage underneath the couple’s garage on 15 July last year.
Dead at her side was Boris the dog, her loyal companion.Dead at her side was Boris the dog, her loyal companion.
Police said the "sudden, unexpected" death of Stewart's first wife, Diane - who was found in the couple's garden in 2010 - will now be re-examined. Police said the “sudden, unexpected” death of Stewart’s first wife, Diane – who was found in the couple’s garden in 2010 – will now be re-examined.
Additional reporting by Press AssociationAdditional reporting by Press Association