25 January 2024 , 15:48
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A "Jekyll and Hyde" former anaesthetist is on trial for killing his girlfriend by strangling her with a dressing down sleeve and putting a plastic bag over her head.
Ex-anaesthetic theatre practitioner Mathew Pickering, 49, has denied killing his girlfriend Georgina Dowey at his home in Cadoxton, Neath on May 7, 2023. Ms Dowey's body was found with a black bag over her head and prosecutors say she suffered "vicious and intentional violence" at the hands of Pickering.
When asked about what he did after her death, Pickering said he went to the shop to buy bleach, but that it was to mop up cat urine from the kitchen. He was also grilled about why he put black bins out in the street that night despite the rubbish not being collected for a number of days. He said it was "just an automatic thing" and "autopilot".
The court heard Pickering went on to take the clothes he had been wearing during the assault to his parents' house to be washed, before putting them back on - while his family remained unaware of Miss Dowey's death. On his way to his parents' home, CCTV images showed the defendant putting items from his pocket and from his rucksack into bins - asked what he was doing, he said they were Rich Tea biscuits and crackers which he had been "munching on" during the walk to Neath.
When asked why he didn't tell his parents about Miss Dowey's death, Pickering denied it was because he had not got his "story straight" but said: "I didn't want them knowing about it at that point. I was planning to report it after visiting them. I just wanted to spend some time... I knew I would not be seeing them for some time."
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Describing the events leading up to Miss Dowey's death, the defendant previously told the jury on Wednesday how "for 10 or 15 seconds" it was his intention to kill her after she swang at Pickering with an ashtray before coming at him with a small fruit knife, reports Wales Online.
During cross-examination, the defendant told the court when he saw Miss Dowey heading for the rear utility room and toilet he thought she was going to pick up an empty bottle. He says she then picked up a small piece of wood and began swinging it at him with her left hand.
Pickering said he grabbed the empty left arm of Miss Dowey's dressing gown - which was draped over the left shoulder "like a scarf" - and pulled it with both hands as hard as he could. He says in the ensuring "scuffle" his body rotated around Miss Dowey and he ended up behind her still holding onto the free sleeve but now with his hands either side of her neck.
Asked whether he was pulling on the sleeve around Miss Dowey's neck as hard as he could, Pickering said yes, and that it was "about 10 seconds plus" before she went limp.
Michael Jones KC, prosecuting, said: "So we understand this, for 10 or 15 seconds or however long it was, you intended to kill her. Is that your evidence to the jury?", to which the defendant replied "yes".
In response to questions, the defendant confirmed he then pushed Miss Dowey - with both hands to her back - into the toilet room beyond the utility room. Asked whether at that point it was anger that was driving him, Pickering replied: "I'm not sure. I don't know. I snapped."
Prosecutor Mr Jones, opening the case, told the jury it was the prosecution's case that Pickering’s assault on his partner was a determined one, and one intended to cause really serious injury. He said Pickering caused multiple injuries and ultimately strangled his partner.
The barrister said it was not just the ferocity of the assault that indicated the defendant’s intent to kill or cause really serious harm but his behaviour afterwards. Mr Jones said: “He said absolutely nothing to summon help or inform anyone what he had done. Instead he left her body where it lay and went about his business.” The barrister said Pickering then went out and bought bleach and cat treats from a shop.
Jurors heard Miss Dowey had previously described Pickering as "controlling" and claimed he was emotionally abusive. Mr Jones had earlier told the jury Pickering was a user of alcohol and illicit and prescription drugs.
Giving evidence, Pickering denied disclosures made by Miss Dowey to domestic abuse workers about the defendant being "heavy handed" with her, and disagreed with previous disclosures where Miss Dowey described him as a "Jekyll and Hyde" character.
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The case, which is expected to last up to three weeks, continues.
Pickering, of Beaconsfield Street, Cadoxton, Neath, denies the charge and is on trial at Swansea Crown Court. He admits an alternative count of manslaughter.