Becky Watts verdict: Stepbrother Nathan Matthews guilty of murder, Shauna Hoare guilty of manslaughter

A JURY has found Nathan Matthews guilty of murdering his stepsister Becky Watts, with prosecutors blaming his “twisted sexual desires”.

THE stepbrother of Becky Watts has been found guilty of her murder in an emotional day at Bristol Crown Court. His girlfriend, Shauna Hoare, has been acquitted of murder but found guilty of manslaughter.

It took the 11-person jury just under three hours to return the verdict after the 22-day trial in which the prosecution claimed the pair had sexual motives for the kidnap and killing of the Bristol teenager.

Becky, 16, was murdered at home on February 19 before the pair dismembered her over the next few days in the bathroom of their house in Cotton Mill Lane.

Matthews, 28 was also found guilty of conspiracy to kidnap, perverting the course of justice, preventing her lawful burial and possessing a prohibited weapon.

Hoare, 21, was found guilty of manslaughter, conspiracy to kidnap, perverting the course of justice, preventing lawful burial and possessing a prohibited weapon.

Two other men, Donovan Demetrius, 30, and James Ireland, 23, were found not guilty of assisting an offender.

Karl Demetrius, 30, and Jaydene Parsons, 23, who lived in the home where her body was found pleaded guilty to assisting an offender at an earlier hearing.

All defendants will be sentenced on Friday.

Nathan Matthews.

Shauna Hoare.

Police released these pictures of Becky’s bedroom where Matthews said he suffocated her. Picture: Avon and Somerset Police

Becky’s Uncle Sam Galsworthy said outside the court justice had been done for their “beautiful Becky”. He also thanked police and staff who helped secure the verdict.

“From the day Becky died, the kindness shown to us by the people of Bristol and wider has been immeasurable. For this we will always thank you from the bottom of our hearts. Over the months we have also found strength in messages and support from strangers all around the world,” he said.

“For us as a family today is not the final chapter in this tragedy, but now we can at least begin the challenge to rebuild our lives. Thank you to everyone who has walked this journey with us.”

Earlier, Becky’s family sobbed and clutched one another as the verdict was read out, to shouts of ‘yes’ and claps inside the courtroom. Matthews and Hoare remained emotionless.

Pictures of the crime scene released by police. Picture: Avon and Somerset Police

‘TWISTED SEXUAL DESIRES’

Senior Investigating Officer Det Superintendent Mike Courtiour said it was “virtually impossible to comprehend this level of depravity.”

“Becky Watts was a typical teenager who was well loved and, like most teenagers, had many plans and hopes for the future. Tragically, Nathan Matthews and Shauna Hoare have made sure these hopes and dreams will never be realised.”

“Matthews and Hoare concocted a heinous plan to kidnap his stepsister Becky for reasons they have failed to fully disclose other than she occasionally left items on the floor which could have tripped up Matthews’ mother.

“The body of evidence however, has suggested a more sinister motive relating to their deep seated hatred for Becky and their twisted sexual desires.”

During the high-profile trial the jury heard how Matthews and Hoare messaged one another about kidnapping young teens to have sex with them. Matthews confessed to police he had suffocated Becky in her room but said he only meant to teach her a lesson.

CCTV footage shown to the jury showed him entering a hardware store to buy a circular saw which the pair used to dismember her body over several days. They were also shown buying sacks, tape and a sponge as well as bin bags and cleaning products to wrap her body before storing it in the garden shed of a home nearby.

The largest manhunt in the local force’s history took place in Bristol following her disappearance, with more than 500 police and many other locals turning out to search nearby parks and lakes.

Becky’s father Darren Galsworthy made a distraught appeal on television with Matthew’s mother Anjie, saying “If you’ve got her, then put her somewhere we can find her. We want her home please.”

The local mayor personally appealed for her return and friends started a leaflet and social media campaign. Nearly two weeks later her body was discovered by forensic teams which led to an outpouring of grief, with floral tributes left outside the home.

Det Supt Mike Courtiour said Matthews has never taken full responsibility for his actions and forced Becky’s family and friends to endure a “lengthy and extremely distressing trial.”

“Nothing will ever fill the void in the lives of Becky’s family and friends but we hope that these verdicts can finally bring them some much deserved comfort,” he said.

Stepmother of Becky Watts and mother of Nathan Matthews, Anjie Galsworthy, is pushed in her wheelchair by Becky Watts' father, Darren Galsworthy, as they arrive at Bristol Crown Court. Picture: Matt Cardy/Getty Images.

Rachael Scott, head of the CPS’ South West Complex Casework Unit said it was clear during her work the plot was driven by the sexual motivations of Hoare and Matthews.

“Throughout the trial, Matthews maintained that he had killed Becky by accident during a bungled ‘prank’ to kidnap her. Having heard details of Becky’s injuries, as well as the cold and calculated way in which he attempted to dispose of her body, the jury has today found him guilty of murder.

“Shauna Hoare claimed that she knew nothing of Matthews’ plans or actions, that she had no involvement in Becky’s death or the concealment of her body. Again, the jury found the evidence did not support these claims and she has been found guilty of Becky’s manslaughter.”

More to come.