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26/04/2010
Blue Lagoon Murderers For Sentencing
The family who kept a vulnerable man as their slave then killed him, cut up his body and dumped it in a Bedfordshire beauty spot are due to be sentenced.
Michael Gilbert, 26, was tortured for his benefit money by the extended Watt family at their home in Luton.
The ringleader, James Watt, 27, ordered others in the family to repeatedly assault Michael Gilbert. The victim was beaten and assaulted with the attacks often recorded on mobile phones for fun.
On Friday, Watt, his girlfriend Natasha Oldfield, 29 and Nichola Roberts, 22, were all convicted of Michael's murder.
Robert Watt, 20 and Jennifer Smith-Dennis, 58, the mother of all the Watt brothers were both convicted of familial homicide – also known as causing or allowing the death of a vulnerable adult.
Natasha Oldfield was also found guilty of assisting an offender.
A third brother, Richard Watt, 25, had previously admitted familial homicide.
All were convicted of conspiracy to pervert the course of justice.
Michael Gilbert's body was dismembered and dumped at a beauty spot known as the Blue Lagoon in Arlesey, where it was discovered by fishermen in May last year.
During the trial, the court heard "vulnerable" Michael Gilbert, who met James Watt at a children's home when they were 15, was treated as a slave by the family.
Police said he was regularly assaulted and threatened over several years;he was hit with bats, shot and stabbed .
When the 26-year-old victim escaped, James Watt traced him through his benefit payments and National Insurance number and he would be forced back in to captivity.
Police had even paid for a rail ticket so he could return to Cambridge and escape the family but he was traced and bundled into a car before being taken back to the family home.
Det Ch Insp Jon Humphries said the defendants had showed callousness beyond anything he had witnessed in more than 26 years service.
(LB/BMcC)
Michael Gilbert, 26, was tortured for his benefit money by the extended Watt family at their home in Luton.
The ringleader, James Watt, 27, ordered others in the family to repeatedly assault Michael Gilbert. The victim was beaten and assaulted with the attacks often recorded on mobile phones for fun.
On Friday, Watt, his girlfriend Natasha Oldfield, 29 and Nichola Roberts, 22, were all convicted of Michael's murder.
Robert Watt, 20 and Jennifer Smith-Dennis, 58, the mother of all the Watt brothers were both convicted of familial homicide – also known as causing or allowing the death of a vulnerable adult.
Natasha Oldfield was also found guilty of assisting an offender.
A third brother, Richard Watt, 25, had previously admitted familial homicide.
All were convicted of conspiracy to pervert the course of justice.
Michael Gilbert's body was dismembered and dumped at a beauty spot known as the Blue Lagoon in Arlesey, where it was discovered by fishermen in May last year.
During the trial, the court heard "vulnerable" Michael Gilbert, who met James Watt at a children's home when they were 15, was treated as a slave by the family.
Police said he was regularly assaulted and threatened over several years;he was hit with bats, shot and stabbed .
When the 26-year-old victim escaped, James Watt traced him through his benefit payments and National Insurance number and he would be forced back in to captivity.
Police had even paid for a rail ticket so he could return to Cambridge and escape the family but he was traced and bundled into a car before being taken back to the family home.
Det Ch Insp Jon Humphries said the defendants had showed callousness beyond anything he had witnessed in more than 26 years service.
(LB/BMcC)
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07 July 2011
Gilbert Police Investigation Flawed, Finds IPCC
The Independent Police Complaints Commission has published findings from their investigation into the police handling of incidents involving Michael Gilbert prior to his murder. Michael was murdered in January 2009 and his body dismembered and disposed of in a lake in Bedfordshire.
Gilbert Police Investigation Flawed, Finds IPCC
The Independent Police Complaints Commission has published findings from their investigation into the police handling of incidents involving Michael Gilbert prior to his murder. Michael was murdered in January 2009 and his body dismembered and disposed of in a lake in Bedfordshire.
18 November 2009
Archie Norman Is New ITV Chairman
ITV has announced that Archie Norman has been appointed as the broadcaster's new boss. Mr Norman, a former Conservative politican and the Asda Chief Executive - who is credited for turning the supermarket chain's fortunes around in the 1990s - will take over the post from Michael Grade, who is stepping down, in January 2010.
Archie Norman Is New ITV Chairman
ITV has announced that Archie Norman has been appointed as the broadcaster's new boss. Mr Norman, a former Conservative politican and the Asda Chief Executive - who is credited for turning the supermarket chain's fortunes around in the 1990s - will take over the post from Michael Grade, who is stepping down, in January 2010.
15 February 2007
Armed officers to patrol in south London
Armed officers are to patrol streets in south London following the death of a third teenager in a series of shootings in the area.
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20 April 2007
Suspended sentences for toddler fight women
Four women who goaded two toddlers to fight each other and filmed it have been given suspended sentences of 12 months each.
Suspended sentences for toddler fight women
Four women who goaded two toddlers to fight each other and filmed it have been given suspended sentences of 12 months each.
28 July 2006
Tributes paid to young chess star
The family of a young chess player who fell to her death at a hotel in the Czech Republic have paid tribute to her. The family of 19-year-old Jessie Gilbert described her as "much loved" and an "exceptionally talented chess player". Miss Gilbert fell from the window of her eight-floor room at the Hotel Labe in Pardubice, 65 miles east of Prague.
Tributes paid to young chess star
The family of a young chess player who fell to her death at a hotel in the Czech Republic have paid tribute to her. The family of 19-year-old Jessie Gilbert described her as "much loved" and an "exceptionally talented chess player". Miss Gilbert fell from the window of her eight-floor room at the Hotel Labe in Pardubice, 65 miles east of Prague.
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Northern Ireland WeatherToday:A showery start with outbreaks most frequent north of Lough Neagh and through the morning, before dwindling during the afternoon as the northwest breezes ease and brighter spells of weak sunshine prosper. Maximum temperature 8 °C.Tonight:A dry night, save for a few light showers around the coasts, with prolonged clear spells and light winds bringing a frosty dawn for many in central and southern parts. Minimum temperature -3 °C.
