Katie Simpson murder: police and prosecutors praise family after three women sentenced
Police and prosecutors have praised the family of murder victim Katie Simpson, after three women were sentenced for offences related to her death in Londonderry in 2020.
Ms Simpson, 21 and from Tynan in Co Armagh, died following an incident at a property in Gortnessy Meadows, Lettershandoney on August 3.
The man on trial for her rape and murder – Jonathan Creswell – was found dead at his home in April in this year, shortly after his trial had begun.
The three women sentenced at Londonderry Crown Court on Friday were Hayley Robb, 30, Jill Robinson, 42, and Rose De Montmorency-Wright, 22.
Hayley Robb, of Weavers Meadow, Banbridge, had previously admitted to withholding information, and to perverting the course of justice by washing Creswell’s clothes and by cleaning blood in his home.
She was sentenced to serve two years in prison, suspended for two years.
Jill Robinson, Blackfort Road in Omagh, who had admitted to perverting the course of justice by washing Creswell’s clothes, was sentenced to 16 months in prison, suspended for two years.
Rose de Montmorency-Wright, Craigantlet Road in Newtownards, who had admitted to withholding information while knowing of Creswell’s alleged assault on Ms Simpson, was sentenced to eight months in prison, suspended for two years.
Ms Simpson's death was originally thought by police to have been a suicide but was later treated as murder.
Creswell had denied the rape and murder.
Speaking outside court, Katie Simpson's mother Noeleen Simpson, said: "It’s heart-breaking to know we’ll never see Katie’s smile again. Katie’s passion for horses, fearless talent, and her love for her family and friends.
"Her laugh will be the memories that we will keep."
Commenting on the end of Creswell’s trial due to his sudden death, Noleen Simpson said it meant her family will never get justice.
"Not having a trial has left an overwhelming sense of injustice. What kept us going was thinking he’ll be in prison any time soon,” she said.
In a later statement, a PPS senior public prosecutor commended Katie Simpson’s family and friends for their “courage, strength and dignity”.
Bronach McAuley said: “These three defendants have now been sentenced after pleading guilty to the individual parts they played in the aftermath of Ms Simpson’s death.
"While the prosecution accepted the defendants’ accounts that they believed that they were protecting Creswell from blame for an earlier assault by him upon Ms Simpson rather than her murder, they have nonetheless been convicted of serious criminality.
“We would like to commend Ms Simpson’s family and friends for the courage, strength and dignity they have shown throughout the investigation and the court process”.
The prosecutor added: “If you think you are experiencing domestic abuse in any form, please do not suffer in silence – please report your experiences to police.
Detective Chief Inspector Mark Gibson said: “Katie Simpson lost her life at the age of just 21, leaving family members and many close friends bereft. She was at the heart of a family who simply adored her”.
DCI Gibson added: “Katie’s loved ones have experienced a loss beyond words.
“Theirs is a sorrow deepened and prolonged by a lack of closure. While three co-defendants have today been held to account for their individual actions in connection with Katie’s death, I’m aware that a family’s nightmare goes on”.