Trial Diary

From the Swindon Advertiser, first published Friday 4th Jul 2003.

WILLIAMS TRIAL: Day 12: More of Randle Williams' interviews with Det Con Alan Hardman and Det Con Emma Powell carried out before he was charged with murder were read to the court.

In them Williams talked about Natalie's abortions, the fluctuating successes of his business affairs and his forgiving nature over her sexual affairs. Williams described how his wife threatened to kill him in a disturbance in January 2002. When asked whether he had been in Warminster on April 23 Williams at first said "definitely not" but in later interviews declined to comment. The computer boss gave "no comment" answers to other questions about clothes found at Biss Bottom. He told officers he thought they should be concentrating inquiries on other suspects.

A note left by Williams for Natalie timed at 12.20am on April 23 read: "Hi Nats. Give me a call when you get back in. I have driven out looking for you. Love Randle".

A telephone message left by Williams for Natalie on April 23, the day after she first went missing, was played to jurors in which Randle said he was not angry and wanted his wife to call home.

Day 13: DC Alan Hardman said he took timed journeys based on Williams' account to police of his movements the day after Natalie went missing.

DS Andy Cross exhibited five pairs of jeans and a black roll neck jumper seized from Greenland Mills and from Williams' himself. DS Cross read out unsolved rape, indecent assault and indecent exposure statistics from April 2001 to the present day.

Transcripts from Williams' conversations with Norwich Union employees on two dates in May were read out. In both calls Williams asked if the accidental death benefit was still valid for his wife.

A statement from handwriting expert Paul Bagnall said there was "strong evidence" that Natalie's signature found on a letter of intent was forged by Williams. Richard Fearn drew up the letter of intent in relation to the £70k loan he made to Williams and a second charge on the house at Greenland Mills.

A list of agreed facts between the prosecution and the defence teams were submitted:

Natalie's blood-alcohol level was 100mg of alcohol per 100ml of blood ­ the legal limit for driving is 80mg.

Neighbour Barnaby Hunt, 13, was the last person to see Natalie Williams alive at 7.45pm on April 22.

Williams tried to claim on his wife's £55,000 Abbey Life insurance policy after her death.

Fingerprints on a Somerfield receipt found in Williams' hired Vauxhall Astra matched his.

Day 14: PROSECUTION CASE ENDS

Williams takes the stand and talks of his early life with Natalie, his employment history and his suspicions over his wife's affairs. The 43-year-old weeps as he talks about how the couple met and how they were "looking forward" to moving into their dream home. Computer boss Williams said he could have financed the move to Hampshire and knew his wife was not covered by the £665,000 insurance policy at the time of her death. Revealing his discovery of the 33-year-old's affairs with neighbours he said he married Natalie "for better and for worse" and blamed her behaviour on bulimia, depression and alcohol. Asked about whether he went into Warminster on April 23 he replied "yes" and described how a toiletry accident forced him to buy washing powder and refuse sacks in the town. In the days after his arrest on suspicion of murder Williams told the jury about his thoughts about ending his life. He repeatedly denied murdering Natalie.

Day 15: Williams talks about his worries over Natalie's internet use. He said he created a hotmail account and sent her sexually explicit e-mails "as a joke". He said he had not revealed to police why he had gone into Warminster on April 23 because he was embarrassed. Admitting some of the items found at Biss Bottom were his he said he "didn't know" how they came to be there.

Dr Christopher Jeans said he disagreed with evidence put forward by geologist Professor Kenneth Pye that mud on clothes and trainers found at Biss Bottom could be linked with Greenland Mills.

Dr Benjamin Horton said he spotted flaws in the examinations by Prof Pye's team.

Forensic scientist Daryl Manners said water found in the bath at Greenland Mills could have been there for days.

The trial continues

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