06/03/2008
Killer Wrote 'Confession Letter' To Victim's Father
The killer of Kate Beagley wrote a letter to her father in which he confessed to killing her, according to reports.
Fitness instructor Karl Taylor, 27, from Covent Garden, central London, was jailed for a minimum of 30 years yesterday for the murder of the 32-year-old Centrica manager in May last year.
During the trial at the Old Bailey, Taylor had denied murdering Miss Beagley, claiming that she had committed suicide in front of him, using a knife he had dropped, after tearfully telling him of her problems.
However, it has been reported that Taylor wrote a letter to Kate's father, which said: "To be honest, my first impression of her was she is a kind but unhappy girl to some respect.
"Anyway, for the short time I met your daughter, I began to see she was an angel but in the dark. Even though Katie is not with us, she still shines brightly as a star in the night sky.
"I might have took your daughter's life but we all know, some of us more than others, that her heart still beats in the good we all do and her soul lives on with all the good memories of her.
"Without any doubt what I did was wrong!!! But ask yourself this? Whose life have I really taken?"
It is not known if Mr Beagley received the letter.
Miss Beagley, from Walton-on-Thames in Surrey, met Taylor a few days before the killing last May in the CC club in central London and they swapped phone numbers. However, when they went on their date to the Roebuck pub in Richmond Hill, witnesses reported that she appeared to be ignoring him.
Her naked body was found four days later, dumped in nettles in Oxhey Wood in Hertfordshire. She had 31 stab wounds to her face and neck. Taylor had driven her body there in her grey VW Golf car, which he later stole.
During the trial, the prosecution refuted Taylor's claims that Miss Beagley committed suicide, saying that he had taken a knife with him on the date and attacked her as they sat on a park bench at a beauty spot overlooking the River Thames in Richmond, southwest London, when she refused to hand over the keys to her car.
The court heard that Taylor then dumped her clothing and unwanted belongings on the M1, before returning to London where he later sold her mobile phone to a friend.
In court, Judge Forrester told Taylor that he was satisfied that Miss Beagley's murder was "done for gain". Describing Taylor as "arrogant, manipulative and highly dangerous", he said: "You went to meet this girl, equipped with a knife. She was doing no more than looking to you for friendship. You took advantage of the vulnerability of that girl for your own ends."
(KMcA/JM)
Fitness instructor Karl Taylor, 27, from Covent Garden, central London, was jailed for a minimum of 30 years yesterday for the murder of the 32-year-old Centrica manager in May last year.
During the trial at the Old Bailey, Taylor had denied murdering Miss Beagley, claiming that she had committed suicide in front of him, using a knife he had dropped, after tearfully telling him of her problems.
However, it has been reported that Taylor wrote a letter to Kate's father, which said: "To be honest, my first impression of her was she is a kind but unhappy girl to some respect.
"Anyway, for the short time I met your daughter, I began to see she was an angel but in the dark. Even though Katie is not with us, she still shines brightly as a star in the night sky.
"I might have took your daughter's life but we all know, some of us more than others, that her heart still beats in the good we all do and her soul lives on with all the good memories of her.
"Without any doubt what I did was wrong!!! But ask yourself this? Whose life have I really taken?"
It is not known if Mr Beagley received the letter.
Miss Beagley, from Walton-on-Thames in Surrey, met Taylor a few days before the killing last May in the CC club in central London and they swapped phone numbers. However, when they went on their date to the Roebuck pub in Richmond Hill, witnesses reported that she appeared to be ignoring him.
Her naked body was found four days later, dumped in nettles in Oxhey Wood in Hertfordshire. She had 31 stab wounds to her face and neck. Taylor had driven her body there in her grey VW Golf car, which he later stole.
During the trial, the prosecution refuted Taylor's claims that Miss Beagley committed suicide, saying that he had taken a knife with him on the date and attacked her as they sat on a park bench at a beauty spot overlooking the River Thames in Richmond, southwest London, when she refused to hand over the keys to her car.
The court heard that Taylor then dumped her clothing and unwanted belongings on the M1, before returning to London where he later sold her mobile phone to a friend.
In court, Judge Forrester told Taylor that he was satisfied that Miss Beagley's murder was "done for gain". Describing Taylor as "arrogant, manipulative and highly dangerous", he said: "You went to meet this girl, equipped with a knife. She was doing no more than looking to you for friendship. You took advantage of the vulnerability of that girl for your own ends."
(KMcA/JM)
Related UK National News Stories
Click here for the latest headlines.
25 September 2007
Man Remanded Over Date Murder
A man has appeared in court charged with the murder of a woman he asked out on a date. Twenty-seven-year-old Karl Taylor, a fitness trainer and football coach, pleaded not guilty to the murder of Kate Beagley during an appearance via video link at the Old Bailey on Tuesday. Miss Beagley, 32, from Walton-on-Thames in Surrey, disappeared in June.
Man Remanded Over Date Murder
A man has appeared in court charged with the murder of a woman he asked out on a date. Twenty-seven-year-old Karl Taylor, a fitness trainer and football coach, pleaded not guilty to the murder of Kate Beagley during an appearance via video link at the Old Bailey on Tuesday. Miss Beagley, 32, from Walton-on-Thames in Surrey, disappeared in June.
05 March 2008
Man Found Guilty Of 'First Date' Murder
A man has been found guilty of murdering a woman on his first date with her. Fitness instructor Karl Taylor, 27, of Covent Garden, central London had denied murdering Kate Beagley in May last year. The 32-year-old Centrica manager from Walton-on-Thames in Surrey was not seen again after meeting Taylor for a drink.
Man Found Guilty Of 'First Date' Murder
A man has been found guilty of murdering a woman on his first date with her. Fitness instructor Karl Taylor, 27, of Covent Garden, central London had denied murdering Kate Beagley in May last year. The 32-year-old Centrica manager from Walton-on-Thames in Surrey was not seen again after meeting Taylor for a drink.
12 May 2008
Angry Owner 'Saw' Car Clamped
When a Gloucestershire builder came home to find a 'work-in-progress' car repair project clamped by what he branded over officious 'jobsworths' he took matters into his own hands. Ian Taylor, from Tredworth, took drastic action and set about sawing his car in half with an angle-grinder in protest at it being clamped outside his home.
Angry Owner 'Saw' Car Clamped
When a Gloucestershire builder came home to find a 'work-in-progress' car repair project clamped by what he branded over officious 'jobsworths' he took matters into his own hands. Ian Taylor, from Tredworth, took drastic action and set about sawing his car in half with an angle-grinder in protest at it being clamped outside his home.
10 October 2013
Charles Taylor To Serve His Sentence In The UK
Former Liberian president Charles Taylor is to serve the rest of his prison sentence in the UK, according to Justice Minister Jeremy Wright. Taylor was found guilty of 11 counts of war crimes and crimes against humanity, including murder, rape, terrorism and using child soldiers in April 2012 at the Special Court for Sierra Leone.
Charles Taylor To Serve His Sentence In The UK
Former Liberian president Charles Taylor is to serve the rest of his prison sentence in the UK, according to Justice Minister Jeremy Wright. Taylor was found guilty of 11 counts of war crimes and crimes against humanity, including murder, rape, terrorism and using child soldiers in April 2012 at the Special Court for Sierra Leone.
31 May 2011
Lord Taylor Jailed Over Expenses Fraud
An ex-Tory peer has been jailed for a year over falsely claiming parliamentary expenses. Lord Taylor of Warwick claimed £11,277 for travel between his Oxford home and Westminster and for accommodation costs in London.
Lord Taylor Jailed Over Expenses Fraud
An ex-Tory peer has been jailed for a year over falsely claiming parliamentary expenses. Lord Taylor of Warwick claimed £11,277 for travel between his Oxford home and Westminster and for accommodation costs in London.
-
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.