In court today were a man and a woman who are suspected of killing Croydon resident Sarah Mayhew. On Tuesday afternoon, April 9, Gemma Watts, 48, of Holmbury Grove in Forestdale in Croydon, and Steven Samson, 44, of Burnell Road in Sutton, made an appearance at Bromley Magistrates’ Court. They were both accused of killing the 38-year-old and impeding her body’s proper and legal burial in New Addington.
Watts, who the Met Police had mistakenly identified as Gemma Saundercock, made her appearance with a black eye via a video link with Samson from Lewisham Police Station. During the opening of the hearing, both spoke solely to verify their identities. Additionally, prosecutor Jessica Kang informed the court that Samson faces three counts of creating obscene photos of children, which were purportedly “linked” to the other allegations.
“The nature of the images does make them linked to this offence,” stated Ms. Kang. The phone’s downloads were completed simultaneously.” District Judge Roy Brown said, “I will accept for the purposes of these proceedings that the matters are linked,” after learning additional specifics about the accusations.
Following that, Judge Brown ordered that the case be heard at the Old Bailey on Thursday, April 11, when Watts and Samson are scheduled to enter pleas. They’ll both stay in detention.
“On April 11, the Central Criminal Court will hold a pre-trial preparation hearing in your cases. Judge Brown clarified, “Of course, the only matters that matter are murder and each defendant’s unlawful burial. “The second either way matters will also be sent as they are linked to the indictable only charges.”
‘Condolences with Sarah’s family’
The charges follow the Met Police’s opening of a murder investigation following a contact to the police on Tuesday, April 2, at approximately 9:00 a.m. regarding the discovery of human remains on Rowdown Fields in New Addington. According to a spokeswoman for the Met Police, Sarah’s family has been informed of the accusations and is receiving support during this “very difficult time.”
Commander Andy Brittain, who oversees Croydon police, stated on Tuesday morning, April 9: “I would like to thank the detectives and officers across the Met whose expertise continues to enable this speedy and thorough investigation.”
“We are very grateful for the support the local community has given us while the officers have been performing this important task. My heartfelt sympathies are
with Sarah’s family, and we will continue to support them as the investigation progresses.”
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