A murder trial has revealed a dispute between a fire chief and a police sergeant regarding the securing of the scene where 86-year-old Una Crown's body was found. Dave Allen, a former fire station commander, insisted the scene needed to be secured due to evidence of multiple fires, while acting sergeant Simon Gledhill believed the death was accidental and not suspicious. The trial centers around David Newton, 70, who denies murdering Mrs. Crown. Prosecutors allege that Mr. Newton started fires after her death.
Station commander Dave Allen told police officer Simon Gledhill that the scene should be secured after Una Crown's body was found, jurors heard
Dave Allen, then a Cambridgeshire Fire and Rescue Service station commander, said the scene at Una Crown's bungalow in Wisbech in January 2013 needed to be secured, the trial at Cambridge Crown Court heard. David Newton, 70, who lived near Mrs Crown and was charged in 2024 after new DNA evidence emerged, denies murder.Mrs Crown's body was found in her bungalow in Magazine Lane on 13 January 2013, jurors heard.Prosecutors allege Mr Newton, of Magazine Close, Wisbech, started fires after killing Mrs Crown.
Mr Allen, who was based in Cambridge but has now retired, told the trial on Monday about an exchange he had with Mr Gledhill, who is no longer a police officer.Mr Allen said he had seen "three seats of fire" and told Mr Gledhill: "This scene needs to be secure."Mr Allen said another firefighter, Karl Bowden, then a station manager, had told Mr Gledhill: "This could be a career-defining moment and this won't be mine.
MURDER FIRE POLICE DISPUTE EVIDENCE
United Kingdom Latest News, United Kingdom Headlines
Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
Bill Sweeney: RFU rebels issue demand to sack under-fire chief executiveThe crisis at the top of English rugby erupts as rebels call for a final confrontation over Rugby Football Union's embattled chief executive Bill Sweeney
Read more »
Bill Sweeney: Rebels force RFU vote on under-fire chief executiveRugby Football Union chief executive Bill Sweeney's future will be voted on by rugby clubs across England after his critics forced the governing body to call a crisis summit.
Read more »
LA Fire Chief Blasts Mayor Over Wildfire ResponseLos Angeles Fire Chief Kirstin Crowley criticizes Mayor Karen Bass for budget cuts and inadequate firefighting resources during devastating wildfires. Celebrities join the outcry, accusing the mayor of mismanagement.
Read more »
Embattled LA mayor Karen Bass's cringeworthy response to fire chief's open criticismSpencer Pratt plans to sue California after his house burnt down. The 'Hills' star chatted with Perez Hilton about what he witnessed go down in the Palisades during the wildfires.
Read more »
LA Mayor Scoffs at Criticism Over Fire Chief Rift Amid Wildfire CrisisLos Angeles Mayor Karen Bass faced backlash for her handling of the ongoing wildfire crisis, including a reported rift with Fire Chief Kristin Crowley. Bass dismissed questions about the tension, while Crowley criticized the city's leadership for failing firefighters and communities.
Read more »
LA Fire Chief Criticizes Budget Cuts Amidst WildfiresLos Angeles Fire Chief Kristin Crowley publicly criticized the city's budget cuts, claiming they hinder firefighters' ability to respond to emergencies, particularly during the ongoing wildfire crisis. Crowley's comments follow complaints of hazing, harassment, and discrimination within the department.
Read more »