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Murder witness charged with contempt of court
A MURDER trial eye-witness who failed to show up at the Old Bailey was lucky not to be going to jail, a judge said this week.
Roofer Robert Murphy claimed he was in fear of reprisals after watching horror unfold at the Rowley Way estate, Swiss Cottage, where he lived.
But prosecutor Mark Fenhalls cast doubt on the motive for his reluctance to testify and said detectives could have given him all the help and protection he needed.
Murphy, 26, was on the estate on the night in June 2006 when three “laughing” killers attacked market trader Timothy Stillwell, 49, at his flat.
He was repeatedly stabbed and left dying on his front room floor.
Mr Fenhalls said that Murphy’s absence from the witness box at the trial fortunately did not lead to any injustice.
Last October, rail worker Sean Allen, 20, from Luton, formerly lived in Rowley Way, Steven Barton, 22, a construction worker of Freeling House, West Hampstead, and Scott Robinies, 21, a cycle courier, of Quex Road, Kilburn, were convicted of murder.
Judge Richard Hawkins, QC, gave them life sentences and said they must serve a minimum of 18 year terms for the killing.
Murphy admitted Contempt of Court. He was given a three month jail term suspended for a year and ordered to pay £150 costs.
Judge Hawkins told him that he escaped immediate jail because of his good previous character and work record. |
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Your comments:
If traders have been warned about the consequences and still ignored them in this way they should be named and shamed. It's disgraceful.
Georgina Parry
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