Showjumper murdered out of 'jealousy', trial hears

Katie Simpson died following an incident in Gortnessy Meadows in Lettershandoney in August 2020

A murder trial has heard that a young female showjumper was killed in County Londonderry out of "jealousy".

Jonathan Creswell, 36, who has an address which cannot be disclosed due to a court order, has denied the murder and rape of Katie Simpson.

The 21-year-old died following an incident in Gortnessy Meadows, Lettershandoney, on 3 August 2020.

Ms Simpson, who was from the village of Tynan in County Armagh, died in Altnagelvin Hospital six days later, having never regained consciousness.

A prosecution lawyer told the jury at Londonderry Crown Court, sitting in Coleraine, that Mr Creswell raped, strangled and killed Ms Simpson.

Jonathan Creswell pictured at a previous court hearing

In an opening submission at the beginning of the first day of the trial on Tuesday, the prosecution said Mr Creswell had previous “illicit” sexual relations with Ms Simpson and attacked her after discovering that she was in a relationship with someone else.

The prosecution also told the court that the defendant then tried to “cover up” what happened in a “calculated and deceitful“ way by claiming her death was as a result of suicide.

The lawyer said this was “a fiction“ and said Mr Creswell “lied, lied, and lied” in an effort to cover his tracks.

The trial, which is being heard before a jury of seven women and five men, is due to last between four to six weeks.

The trial continues.