Gosport murder trial: Jury told Brendan Rowan-Davies is a 'cold, calculating killer'

Prosecutor William Mousley QC said the 29-year-old was ‘a conman, a liar, a sexual menace’ and was responsible for killing 27-year-old Kelly-Anne Case in a 40-minute period at her home in Grange Crescent, Gosport.

Rowan-Davies, of Trinity Close, Gosport, denies murder and arson. He is accused of slitting Ms Case’s throat and setting fire to her home on July 30 last year. He told jurors he disturbed the real killer who threatened him.

In his closing speech, Mr Mousley said the murderer ‘must have taken pleasure’ in what was done.

Addressing jurors at Winchester Crown Court, Mr Mousley said: ‘We submit that the killer of Kelly-Anne Case was, and is, a dangerous person. Someone who entered a lone female’s home early in the morning, arming himself with a knife.

He added: ‘That dangerous person with sex in mind, someone who would torment, if not torture, Kelly-Anne Case by prodding and picking at her with the knife to her shoulder, arm, on top of her chest. Someone who having cut her throat and killed her, carried on to inflict more injuries after she was dead.

‘Someone who then wanted to burn her, someone who had tied her up. The DNA of the killer is someone who must have taken pleasure in what he or she did to Kelly-Anne Case.

‘We say, members of the jury, that person is no longer out there, and the public is safe because that person is here: cold, calculating and entirely lacking in compassion.’

Rowan-Davies is accused of returning to Ms Case’s home after being there earlier in the morning with his friend Will Vallender. Jurors heard the defendant said he ‘always fancied’ Ms Case but she laughed at him.

Mr Mousley said: ‘The defendant has a learning disability. He has dyslexia. But that doesn’t mean he’s unintelligent, and the prosecution submit that he is streetwise, cunning and forensically aware.’

Jurors will hear from the defendant’s barrister Kate Lumsdon QC this afternoon.

Mr Mousley told jurors: ‘Of course it’s right that when someone has a learning disability and dyslexia, particularly in this courtroom, that there must be respect and understanding. Those are the hallmarks of a fair trial.

‘But the time comes when respect and understanding must end, and incredulity and disgust take over. When the gloves come off and it’s necessary to reveal Brendan Rowan-Davies for what he is: a conman, a liar, a sexual menace, an arsonist, a murderer.’

He added: ‘We invite you to conclude that his motives were sexual, the drink and the drugs during the night, the sounding her out, the remark about fancying her, being laughed at. Rejected. Someone, even at that stage, thinking about sex.’

Earlier the judge, Mr Justice Neil Garnham, told jurors: ‘This is a court of law and it’s essential you reach your decision on the evidence, not on emotion.’

(Proceeding)

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