A court has heard how Robert Kellett's body was found in an 'advanced state of decomposition' in a bathroom - with his ex-partner on trial for his murder
A court has heard how Robert Kellett's body was found in an "advanced state of decomposition" in a bathroom - with his ex-partner on trial for his murderA court has heard how a woman allegedly killed her ex-partner while he was on the toilet and concealed his 'decomposing' body in her bathroom for 11 months.after her ex-partner, Robert Kellett, 62, was found dead underneath a tarpaulin on September 12 last year - almost a year since he was reported missing.
The 66-year-old 'abuser' is said to have subjected him to a campaign of "physical abuse and intimidation" for decades, the court has heard, with Downs having taken control of his finances. Mr Kellett's body was found in an "advanced state of decomposition" when he was discovered at the property on Terry Road, High Wycombe,The prosecution alleges Downs' conduct towards her then partner had become worse when she was drinking - and that she used his card the day after he was killed to pay for wine and cigarettes.
Downs' neighbours had reported her to police multiple times, as she was verbally abusive to them and would "scream like a banshee" at Mr Kellett and "bang on the walls" during the night, the court heard.said: "One couple, who had lived in their home for many years, sold up to get away from her. As she was leaving, the defendant shouted at her neighbour that she would kill her if she ever returned.
" On Wednesday, jurors heard that Downs has accepted killing Mr Kellett, but is expected to argue that she acted in self-defence, or has diminished responsibility due to her mental state. She has already admitted charges of preventing a lawful and decent burial, and attempted fraud in relation to her conduct after his death. Ms Carberry added: "The relationship between the defendant and Robert Kellett was long‑standing, but deeply troubled.
It was characterised by Cheryl Downs' volatile personality, financial pressure she put on him, by lies she told about him and by conflict.
"Her killing of Robert Kellett was the culmination of years of controlling and abusive behaviour by her towards him. "And it came at a time when Mr Kellett had moved out of the house they owned, away from the area and was attempting to start a life independent of the defendant.
" Mr Kellett died of fatal head trauma, including multiple fractures to his skull caused by "repeated blows" with a heavy implement, over the weekend on October 5-6 2024, the court heard. He was no longer living at the address, but had gone back for the weekend as he was still assisting Downs financially.
"Mr Kellett was in the bathroom, most likely on the toilet, when he was initially attacked and then incapacitated and helpless on the floor as the attack continued," said Ms Carberry. Jurors were told that psychologists have identified "narcissistic and psychopathic" personality traits in Downs, and that Mr Kellett "feared for his safety" during their relationship. After his death, Mr Kellett, who had been working as an engineer in the West Midlands, was reported missing by his boss.
The police attended the Terry Road home trying to find Mr Kellett, but Downs refused to let them in, and told the officers that she had not seen him, the court heard. By this time she had moved his car from outside the house, and the police did not investigate further at that time. The body was discovered 11 months later by a teenage lodger who was moving into Downs' house, the court heard.
"It seems as if the defendant wanted Robert Kellett’s body to be found and she was prepared to use her young lodger for this to happen," said Ms Carberry. The lodger and her boyfriend went to investigate the "terrible smell" and made the "grim discovery" of Mr Kellett’s remains in September 2025.
Mr Kellett had contacted the police about Downs' conduct towards him several times from 2010 onwards, with the most recent report coming just five days before he was killed. Downs was arrested multiple times for assaulting Mr Kellett, but on each occasion he did not press charges, the court heard.
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