Louise Smith murder trial: Partner of accused Shane Mays 'dominated' conversations with police, court hears

Shane Mays, 30 from Somborne Drive, Leigh Park, is on trial for the murder of 16-year-old Louise Smith.

Louise went missing on May 8 and her body was found defiled and burned 13 days later in Havant Thicket.

Mays denies murder but has admitted manslaughter.

Today, the trial continued with the prosecution questioning police officers who visited the couple in the days after Louise’s aunt, Chazlynn Mays (CJ), reported the teenager as missing.

They told the court that CJ ‘dominated’ conversation, with Shane Mays barely speaking to them.

She also told officers that Louise had left their flat in Ringwood House alone, and was heading to Emsworth Skate Park to meet a friend.

In court on November 17, the prosecution told the court that on May 8, Shane Mays told both his mother and wife that he had dropped Louise at the park.

Det Con Pete Bambury, who also interviewed the couple, gave evidence at Winchester Crown Court this morning.

He told the jury that CJ ‘dominated' conversations with police.

He said: ‘CJ would talk over people to manage the conversation.

‘She said Louise left the house alone at midday – she’d made arrangements to see a friend to get some clothes.

‘He [Shane Mays] said absolutely nothing. When I spoke to him he told me if she returned, he would lock her in until the police arrived. I found it a really strange thing to say, it’s just a bizarre comment.'

SEE ALSO: Live updates as Louise Smith murder trial continues

PC Emma Joyner, who visited the couple on May 13, concurred with Det Con Bambury, saying Mays was ‘under the thumb’ of his partner, but CJ told her he ‘never knew how to talk’ to Louise.

PC Joyner added that she made a note of this comment because CJ used the past tense.

Following a visit from Det Insp Nicola Burton, it was eventually established that Mays left the property at the same time as Louise.

She visited the couple after discrepancies were noticed in the stories given about Louise’s disappearance.

She said: ‘When I asked if Louise was with anyone, she said Shane did leave at the same time.

‘CJ hadn’t mentioned that they had left essentially together – she clarified saying they hadn’t left together, but were going in the same direction.

‘He was going to the shops, she wasn’t. He said they didn’t talk on the way to Tesco.’

Mays told police he ‘lost sight’ of Louise as she approached Billy Lawn Avenue.

DI Burton added: ‘They weren’t particularly worried about Louise being missing.

‘CJ did most of the talking and provided the timings of Shane’s movements.’

A message from the Editor, Mark Waldron

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