A man is to stand trial for the murder of his partner’s sister in an alleged jealous rage - then staging a scene to make it appear she had attempted to take her own life.
Previously of Briar Hill Gardens, Greysteel but now with an address which cannot be published, Jonathan Creswell (35) is charged with murdering showjumper Katie Simpson on August 3 2020.
He appeared on Thursday by video-link from his solicitor's office, speaking only to confirm his identity and plead not guilty.
Also appearing were three of his female associates – all connected to the equestrian industry – who face charges in respect of an alleged cover-up.
They too pleaded not guilty to all charges and will join Creswell on trial.
Out of the four defendants, just one co-accused appeared in person, standing alone in the dock of Laganside Crown Court.
Hayley Robb (29) from Weavers Meadow, Banbridge faces four counts of withholding information. She and another woman, Jill Robinson (41) from Blackfort Road, Omagh are jointly accused of perverting the course of justice by washing Creswell’s clothes in an external launderette.
Rose de Montmorency-Wright (22) of Craigantlet Road, Newtownards - the only defendant to appear in person - is accused of withholding information.
She lived with Creswell, his partner Christina Simpson (Katie’s sister) and their children, at the time of her death, later moving to England where she would be arrested and brought back to Northern Ireland for questioning.
Mr Justice O'Hara adjourned the case until September for review and estimated a trial will take place next year.
It was previously disclosed Creswell claimed to have discovered Ms Simpson and placed her, unresponsive and dressed only in a polo shirt and underwear, into her own car before driving to meet an ambulance, as opposed to waiting for it to arrive at the scene.
Medical staff were concerned by Katie’s presentation, noting multiple injuries including intimate bleeding and extensive bruising to her lower right leg, inner thigh and both hands.
Creswell was said to have claiming she fell from a horse the previous day, before being trampled.
After just under a week in intensive care, Ms Simpson died. A post-mortem found injuries on her arms and legs were, “consistent to being struck with a rod-type implement”.