Wisbech murderer David Newton who killed Una Crown sentenced to life in prison with minimum term of 21 years

Una Crown’s killer David Newton has been sentenced to life in prison, with a minimum term of 21 years.

Newton, 70, formerly of Magazine Close in Wisbech, was found guilty by a jury in a majority of 10-2 yesterday of murdering 86-year-old widow Mrs Crown, who lived around the corner of Magazine Lane.

At Cambridge Crown Court this afternoon, Judge Justice Neil Garnham gave passionate closing remarks in which he addressed Newton about what happened on the night of January 12, 2013.

“You once described her as a kind old lady. What you said that time makes the events that happened on that Saturday night even more extraordinary,” the judge said.

He said that he believed that Newton had previously gone and got a key cut when helping to repair Mrs Crown’s back door in 2012 and let himself in. Mr Justice Garnham did not believe that Mrs Crown would have let Newton into her home.

“Quite why you decided to enter is far from clear,” he added.

Mr Justice Garnham said that Newton was seeking the company of a woman that evening, after attempts to visit both his sister and aunt were unsuccessful.

He added: “You had a history of going into other people’s properties uninvited in search of conversation and company.

“You had attempted to visit female relatives in the town earlier that evening and, in my view, that was what brought you to Mrs Crown’s door. You wanted someone to talk to, having a key to her door made that easier.

“Be that as it may, she must have been utterly terrified when you came into her house. I have absolutely no doubt she was not expecting you to walk into her home and did not want you there.”

He added: “She decided to confront you and might have told you to get out. It is likely that she attempted to call for help.”

Mr Justice Garnham said that he believed the knife Newton used to kill Mrs Crown came from her own home.

He described the gruesome injuries that Mrs Crown suffered, including a “cut-throat” style wound to the neck as well as stab wounds to the chest that fractured ribs and went through her heart and lung.

He said: “She tried to hold you off, putting her hand up in front of you.

“This was a ferocious and sustained knife attack on a defenceless old lady in her own home.”

Mr Justice Garnham said that after the attack, Newton had tried to cover up all evidence of the murder by starting several fires in Mrs Crown’s home, including on her body.

“In a desperate struggle, she picked up some of his DNA under her fingernails,” he added.

Mr Justice Garnham said that initially, the investigation into Mrs Crown’s death was “mishandled” as officers who first arrived at the scene concluded her death was “non-suspicious”.

It was not until a few days later when a post-mortem was carried out that her death was treated as a murder.

However, Mr Justice Garnham added: “After a disastrous start, this was an impressive police and Crown Prosecution Service investigation.”

A total of more than 10,000 items had been collected to examine for DNA evidence, more than any police investigation carried out by Cambridgeshire Police.

When it came to deciding how long the minimum life term Newton would serve, Mr Justice Garnham said that the blunt force trauma caused by a large knife being used repeatedly, that Mrs Crown was attacked in her own home and that he stole cash after killing her, were all aggravating factors.

“Your intention was to kill,” Mr Justice Garnham said.

After announcing Newton’s sentence, the judge told court staff to “take him [Newton] down”.

The 304 days Newton has already spent in custody will be deducted from his sentence, meaning he will now serve 20 years and 61 days in prison.

Mr Justice Garnham said he could not conclude Newton was intoxicated but his intention at the time of the attack was to kill her. He said there were only two mitigating factors – Newton’s age now and his poor health.

Claire Matthews, of prosecution counsel, said the aggravating features for sentencing included the fact that Mrs Crown was particularly vulnerable due to her age, and the fact that she was petite in size.

In mitigation, Henry Grunwald KC said Newton’s last appearance before any court was in 2014 and referenced his age and “very poor” ill health.

He added that Newton is a “very different man to who committed the offence”, adding that he now suffers from serious depression and many other health problems. He said Newton “may well end up dying in prison”, although he recognised personal circumstances did not play a large role in sentencing.

A total of eight of the 12 members of the jury attended to hear the sentencing alongside a public gallery full of Mrs Crown’s family.

Mr Justice Garnham thanked a list of people from Cambridgeshire Police and the Crown Prosecution Service for their work.

He added: “I want to thank the family of Una Crown for the dignified manner in which they have conducted themselves throughout a harrowing trial.

“Can I say to the eight members of the jury, I know how hard this was for you. I am grateful for your efforts and that you came here today speaks volumes.”

During a statement read outside of court, Det Sgt Simon Oldfield said: "Today David Newton has been sentenced to life in prison for the savage murder of a frail elderly widow 12 years ago.

“DNA found on Una Crown’s fingernails was crucial in this case, and new testing techniques gave the vital breakthrough we needed to charge Newton with her murder.

“For more than a decade David Newton thought he had gotten away with this most horrendous crime, but jurors saw through his lies and this verdict shows you cannot hide forever.

“I would like to commend the 2013 team and current investigation team for their painstaking work. We have been supported by incredible experts, witnesses and specialists who have helped us discover who was responsible.

“Newton will likely spend the rest of his life behind bars, and our thoughts are with Una’s family at this time who have, after more than a decade, got the closure they deserve and the answers they have longed for.

“Finally, this case demonstrates the police commitment to continually reviewing unsolved cases and seeking new lines of enquiry. No unsolved murder case is ever closed.”

A statement was also read out by Det Sgt Dan Harper on behalf of Mrs Crown’s family.

It said: "Firstly, thank you to Mr Price KC, for representing the crown and our family.

"In 2013 we heard our Auntie Una had passed away. Two days later we heard it was murder and our worlds stopped. An elderly widow watching her favourite TV programme, feeling warm and safe in her own home. The attack was brutal, horrific and an assault on a defenceless frail elderly widow.

"The verdict in this case has prevented him causing further distress and misery to others. Since her untimely and savage death, three close family relatives, including her brother, have sadly passed away not knowing her killer has been brought to justice.

“We’d like to thank all who have helped get us to this point and we can now carry on with our lives knowing justice has been done.”