'Series of coincidences' if Wisbech death suspect did not kill widow, jurors told

A prosecutor has told jurors there is "a series of remarkable coincidences" if a man accused of murdering an 86-year-old woman in Wisbech did not do so.

David Newton - whose trial at Cambridge Crown Court began in mid-January - denies killing Una Crown at her home in Magazine Lane in January 2013.

In his closing speech, barrister John Price KC told the jury that "this case is an adult’s jigsaw; the individual pieces are small and there are many of them.

"For anyone considering this case, it requires perseverance to assemble them correctly."

Mr Price claimed a knife - held by the killer - came into contact with the palm of Mrs Crown's raised hand more than once, adding that male DNA was found on her right hand.

The court has already heard how DNA samples were taken from Mrs Crown's nail clippings in 2013.

But after they were re-examined in 2023, male DNA was found which prosecutors say likely came from Newton as no male relatives lived nearby.

Mr Price said it would be "remarkable of a coincidence" how male DNA was found on Mrs Crown's nails on her "last line of flailing defence as she was attacked by a large knife.

‘This is the first of a whole series of truly remarkable coincidences which must’ve occurred if in fact David Newton is not the person who stabbed and killed Una Crown."

Mr Price told jurors that "no one saw the murder of Una Crown.

"Newton has always denied it, though without ever claiming to be able to record the events of that night."

Yesterday (Monday), Mr Newton's legal team told the court that no witnesses have been called to give evidence for the defence.

The trial continues.

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