Newton gets life for the 2013 murder of frail Una Crown in Wisbech. He must serve at least 21 years.
Judge Garnham spoke to Newton in court. He mentioned Newton once called Mrs. Crown kind, a fact the judge found very disturbing. The crime happened January 12, 2013.
The judge thinks Newton secretly copied her key when he helped fix her door in 2012. The judge believes Newton let himself inside, and didn’t think Mrs. Crown invited him. The judge stated Newton’s motive remains unclear.
Newton wanted company that evening and had earlier tried to visit family members. The judge stated Newton entered properties uninvited, seeking conversation and companionship. He likely wanted to talk to Mrs. Crown, and having her key made it easier.
The judge believes Mrs. Crown confronted Newton and may have told him to leave. She might have tried to call for help. The judge thinks Newton then used her own knife.
Mrs. Crown suffered terrible injuries, including a cut throat and chest wounds. The stab pierced her heart and lung. She tried to defend herself, and the judge called it a systematic attack on a defenseless victim in her home.
Newton tried to hide the crime by starting fires in her house, even setting her body on fire. Mrs. Crown’s DNA was under her fingernails, showing she fought him.
The initial investigation was mishandled; police first thought her death was not suspicious. But a post-mortem later revealed murder. The judge praised the later investigation, commending the police and prosecution’s work.
Police gathered over 10,000 items to examine for DNA evidence. This case was their largest DNA investigation, and the victim’s fingernails had Newton’s DNA.
The judge explained the life sentence length: Newton used a large knife repeatedly. The attack occurred inside her home. He stole her money after the attack, making it clear Newton intended to kill her.
The 304 days Newton already served count, so he will now serve 20 years, 61 days. The judge thought Newton meant to kill, but he considered two mitigating factors: Newton’s age and health.
The prosecution mentioned aggravating details: Mrs. Crown was old, very vulnerable, and small in stature.
Newton’s lawyer mentioned his past record, citing his last court appearance was in 2014. He also cited Newton’s age and health, claiming Newton changed and now has depression and health issues, and might die in prison.
Eight jurors and Mrs. Crown’s family attended the sentencing. The judge thanked the police and prosecution team and praised the family’s dignified manner.
A detective read a statement outside court stating that Newton was sentenced for murder. The victim was a frail, elderly widow, and this crime occurred twelve years ago.
DNA from Mrs. Crown’s nails proved critical, and new testing helped charge Newton. He thought he escaped justice, but the jury saw through his lies. The statement commended past and present teams, experts, and witnesses who assisted.
The detective stated Newton would spend life in jail, and their thoughts are with Mrs. Crown’s family. They finally received closure and answers. This case shows police keep reviewing unsolved cases; no murder case is ever truly closed.
A detective read a statement for Mrs. Crown’s family, who thanked those who assisted them. The family found out about her death in 2013, then two days later, they heard about the murder. Their worlds stopped then.
The family described the attack as brutal against a frail, elderly widow. The verdict stops Newton from harming others. Three relatives sadly passed away, never knowing her killer was caught. The family can now move forward knowing justice was served.