logo
Satchwell's 'farcical' narrative of wife's death has more holes than 'Swiss cheese', jury told

Satchwell's 'farcical' narrative of wife's death has more holes than 'Swiss cheese', jury told

BreakingNews.ie23-05-2025

Richard Satchwell's narrative of how his wife died after he held her off by the belt of her bathrobe is "absolutely farcical" and has more holes in it than a block of Swiss cheese, a prosecution barrister has told a Central Criminal Court jury.
Gerardine Small SC, for the Director of Public Prosecutions, on Friday gave her closing speech in the trial of Mr Satchwell, submitting that the the British truck driver had woven "a web of deceit" and continued his "fabricated narrative" over the years when he engaged with the media and "anyone who would indulge him".
Advertisement
The Leicester man, Ms Small said, was "shamelessly brazen right up to the very end" until his wife's remains were discovered at the couple's home in Youghal, over six years after Tina Satchwell was reported missing.
The trial has heard that on March 24th, 2017, Mr Satchwell told gardaí that his wife Tina had left their home four days earlier but that he had no concerns over her welfare, feeling she had left due to a deterioration in their relationship.
The accused formally reported Ms Satchwell missing the following May but her body was not discovered for over six years, when gardaí in October 2023 conducting "an invasive search" of the Satchwell home found her decomposed remains in a grave that had been dug almost one metre deep underneath the stairs.
When re-arrested on suspicion of Tina's murder after her body was removed from their Cork home, Mr Satchwell told gardaí that his wife "flew" at him with a chisel, that he fell backwards against the floor and described her death after he said he held her off by the belt of her bathrobe at her neck.
Advertisement
The Assistant State Pathologist has told the trial that Tina's cause of death could not be determined due to the skeletal nature of her remains after they were found buried beneath her Cork home.
Prosecuting counsel Gerardine Small outside at the Central Criminal Court. Photo: Collins
Addressing the jurors in her closing speech on Friday, Ms Small said the case was "calling and screaming out" for them to apply their common sense and experience.
Ms Small said that the jurors can infer intent from "the surrounding circumstances" of Mr Satchwell's actions, reactions and omissions, as well as the lies he told, the manner in which he concealed the body, the "whole web of deceit he wove" and the fact that it was not until Tina's body was found that his narrative changed. These, she said, were all matters for the jury to examine when they were looking at the accused intent.
Counsel suggested that in the immediate aftermath of the killing, Mr Satchwell had not sought any medical help and made no calls to the emergency services. "Nothing; he doesn't contact anyone."
Advertisement
Ms Small told the jurors that the accused created a false email to an international monkey rescue association at 10.42am on March 20, 2017 "in very close proximity to the killing", where he wrote: "I have put an awful lot of work into this and my wife is going to leave me as a result."
"That is a very calculated move on Mr Satchwell's part," the prosecutor told the jury. "It's very deliberate and very reasoned and what he is doing is creating a digital footprint he can avail of later down the line....it's a safety net because further down the line, he can say she was alive at that stage."
The barrister said another text message sent by the accused to "a Mr James" in a similar manner to the email were "two very deliberate and conniving actions" on the accused's part; "full of guile".
In his first contact with gardaí on March 24 2017, Ms Small said Mr Satchwell told officers he was not really worried about Tina because of the deterioration in their relationship; "again the deceit has been woven again".
Advertisement
She said Mr Satchell had continued this "fabricated narrative and deceit" over the years when he engaged with the media and "anyone who would indulge him".
Ms Small said during the accused's "enhanced cognitive interview" with gardaí in June 2021, he still maintained the same narrative of how Tina had left him. She said when the accused told gardaí he thought Tina may come knocking on his door, he did this "knowing full well she was buried under the concrete; it's absolutely callous".
The lawyer outlined that when Mr Satchwell was first arrested for his wife's murder on October 10th, 2023, gardaí had told him there was going to be an invasive search and that they "were going into the walls" of his home and digging up every inch of the house.
Ms Small said at this stage, Tina's body hadn't been found, but officers asked the accused what he kept under the stairs. She said Mr Satchwell had told them "bits and pieces".
Advertisement
"That illustrates how shamelessly brazen he is, right up to the very end, absolutely brazen and he maintains that position right to the bitter end until he is released from detention," said counsel.
Counsel told the jurors that ultimately, Tina's decomposed body and skeletal remains were recovered when the cement under the stairs was broken. She said gardaí then re-arrested the accused on October 12th.
"He knows the body has been found, you would expect this is a road to Damascus moment, you would be forgiven for thinking that, but no. Richard Satchwell now embarks upon another narrative and another web of deceit; this narrative has more holes than a block of Swiss cheese, it is laden with discrepancies," she continued.
Ms Small commented that Mr Satchwell's account of how his wife died was "totally implausible and self-serving". She went through his account on how Tina "flew" at him with a chisel and was on top of him trying to stab him.
"Curiously this eight stone lady versus a six foot two man never manages and doesn't get a mark on him but nonetheless she is still stabbing at him," she commented.
"For some reason he said he grabs her clothes but doesn't know it's a belt at the time, only after the deed he realises it's a belt, he said he is holding her off because he is terrified".
Ms Small submitted that Mr Satchwell gave no detail of the struggle because he could not be then probed by gardaí and "found out".
She continued: "Tina is well capable of getting up, she has her left hand free and can stop her own death, it's absolutely farcical but that is what he is telling gardaí."
Ireland
Richard Satchwell was 'obsessed' with and 'possess...
Read More
Ms Small noted that when the accused was asked by gardaí to demonstrate what happened to his wife, he said he couldn't. She also said that when Mr Satchwell was asked how he held the belt around her throat, he said he didn't know.
Counsel also submitted that when the accused was asked what had caused Tina to die, he could not say but went on in his interview "to set up" the defence of self-defence for himself.
The trial continues this afternoon before Mr Justice Paul McDermott and a jury of five men and seven women, when Ms Small will continue her closing speech.
Mr Satchwell (58), with an address at Grattan Street, Youghal, Co Cork has pleaded not guilty to murdering his 45-year-old wife Tina Satchwell – nee Dingivan – at that address between March 19th and March 20th, 2017, both dates inclusive.

Orange background

Try Our AI Features

Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:

Comments

No comments yet...

Related Articles

Family of missing teenager vow to 'fight for the truth' after body found following month-long search for him
Family of missing teenager vow to 'fight for the truth' after body found following month-long search for him

Daily Mail​

time7 hours ago

  • Daily Mail​

Family of missing teenager vow to 'fight for the truth' after body found following month-long search for him

The family of a Scottish teenager who disappeared more than a month ago have vowed to never give up on their 'fight for the truth' after a body was found on Friday. Cole Cooper, 19, was reported missing on May 9, prompting a major search investigation that involved helicopters, divers and financial investigators. He was last seen by his family on May 2 or 3 and was captured on CCTV at about 6am on May 4 in Longcroft, Falkirk, as he unsuccessfully tried to access his father's home after a house party. After scouring 2,000 hours of CCTV footage and speaking to more than 400 people, Police Scotland confirmed that the body of a man had been found on Friday evening in a wooded area near Kilysth Road at around 4.15pm. Now, Mr Cooper's heartbroken family have shared how they are 'living in a nightmare we can't wake up from', following the month-long search for their beloved boy. Taking to Facebook to issue a painstaking update, the family published a statement that read: 'We never gave up, and we never will give up - not until we have the answers. The fight for truth, for justice, and for Cole is not over'. The family, who described Mr Cooper as their 'world' and said they were 'completely broken', also thanked the local community for their assistance in the widespread search effort to bring their missing boy home. They added: 'To the incredible community and beyond, thank you. From the bottom of our hearts. After scouring 2,000 hours of CCTV footage and speaking to more than 400 people, Police Scotland confirmed that the body of a man had been found on Friday evening in a wooded area near Kilysth Road at around 4.15pm 'Your support through this horrendous experience has meant more than words can ever say. Every message, every shared post, every act of kindness - your generosity and compassion carried us through our darkest moments. We will never forget it'. On Friday, a Police Scotland spokesman confirmed that the body of a man had been discovered in a wooded area near Kilysth Road. It added: 'Formal identification has yet to take place however the family of missing man Cole Cooper, 19, has been informed. 'Enquiries remain ongoing to establish the full circumstances.' The final sighting of Mr Cooper was at 8.45pm on May 7, on the A803 at the intersection with Cumbernauld Road, Longcroft, when he asked a school friend for a lift - which was not given. Around 5ft10ins, of medium build with brown short hair, he was last seen wearing a black puffer-style jacket with black jogging bottoms. His family described the missing boy's disappearance as 'completely out of character'. In a heartfelt plea made just two weeks ago, Mr Cooper's mother Wendy Stewart begged her son to 'come home'. She said: 'I love and miss you so so so much. Where are you son? My heart is breaking I just want a big cuddle from you son.' The worried mother also posted a touching video of Mr Cooper singing into a microphone and dancing with her, with the caption 'Please help get my gorgeous, kind loving boy back to me'. Following his shock disappearance, an online portal was established to help share footage, images and possible lines of inquiry. Detectives, who said they received 'numerous' submissions from members of the public, viewed more than 2000 hours of CCTV. Officers also reported that the investigation was being treated as a missing person's inquiry rather than a criminal probe. Chief Inspector Alex Hatrick, the local area commander, said on June 6: Our priority remains tracing Cole and getting answers for his family on his whereabouts. 'We have a dedicated team, including specialist officers and national resources, following all lines of inquiry. 'Specialist search teams as well as the air support and dive and marine units have been searching Longcroft and the surrounding area. 'I would like to thank the public for the support they've shown for this investigation and all the information provided to police. It shows the community is as committed to finding Cole as we are.' CI Hatrick also urged any members of the public with information relevant to Mr Cooper's disappearance to get in touch with the force. He said: 'I continue to urge anyone with information on Mr Cooper's movements or whereabouts to come forward. 'No matter how significant you believe that information is, it could prove vital.' Any individuals with information have been asked to contact 101 quoting incident number 828 of May 9.

Tragic end to search for hair stylist Jax Gratton who mysteriously vanished from Denver apartment
Tragic end to search for hair stylist Jax Gratton who mysteriously vanished from Denver apartment

Daily Mail​

time9 hours ago

  • Daily Mail​

Tragic end to search for hair stylist Jax Gratton who mysteriously vanished from Denver apartment

The search for a transgender hairstylist has come to a tragic end, as police located her body over the weekend. Jax Gratton, 34, was last seen at around 10pm on April 15, when her roommate said she told him she was heading out that night and would be gone for three hours - but never returned, Denver 7 reports. Her disappearance sparked a two-month long search around the Colorado city, as members of the LGBTQ + community feared she may have been targeted, according to 9 News. Gratton's mother, Cherilynne Gratton-Camis, also expressed her concern about her daughter's disappearance - telling PEOPLE that she had previously been in abusive relationships. Gratton-Camis then announced on Facebook Saturday that her daughter was found dead. 'With a broken heart, I share the news that our beloved Jax Gratton has been found - and she is no longer with us,' the grieving mother wrote on a page dedicated to finding the missing woman. 'There are no words strong enough for the grief we are feeling. The light she carried, the love she gave so freely and the joy she brought into our lives have been taken from this world far too soon.' Still, Gratton-Camis told Denver 7 she found comfort in learning that her daughter was wearing the same clothes she left in on the night of April 15 - suggesting she died the night of her disappearance. Her devastated mother announced the discovery on Facebook 'She didn't spend six to seven weeks in horrible situations,' Gratton-Camis explained, noting that she had received reports that Jax was being held captive and was being tortured. 'So knowing that wasn't true... brings me peace.' Lakewood police have not yet confirmed the body that was found in an alley Friday night is that of Gratton - only saying that it was in an advanced stage of decomposition when a bystander made the discovery. But Gratton-Camis said a detective at the scene told her he visually identified Gratton through her tattoos. 'I'm very thankful for that because I would be waiting weeks' for a confirmation, she said. Gratton-Camis had previously said she became concerned when her daughter did not reach out to the family over Easter weekend, which she said was 'unusual.' Gratton's coworkers at Solera Salon in Denver, where stylists manage their own schedules, also realized days later that she had not been coming into work. She completed her last appointment on April 12, but days later, she started missing scheduled sessions — something her friends said was completely out of character. 'It was when she was missing client appointments, especially certain clients who she is very close with, outside the salon, that we realized something wasn't quite right,' Brandy Carey, her manager and close friend, told KCNC-TV. 'We started communicating with each other -- 'have you seen Jax? have you seen Jax?' Everybody was like, "no, we haven't heard from her."' Gratton's cause and manner of death remain unclear, and are now the subject of a 'suspicious death investigation.' But in the meantime, her mother thanked community members for joining in the search for her daughter. 'I want to thank everyone - near and far- who has shown up for us,' she wrote on Facebook. 'Everyone who sent out a prayer, a hope, a kind thought. Everyone who hit the ground running and hasn't stopped.' 'This has opened my eyes in ways I can't ignore - it's not just about Jax - it's about all of you in the LGBTQIA+ community who face the world every day with courage, just wanting to live, love and exist safely and equally,' she added. 'That should never be a fight. And yet it is.' The heartbroken mother went on to call Gratton a 'light.' 'She lit up so many lives just by being herself. Unapologetically. Fiercefully. Fully,' she wrote. 'I see her in every act of love and strength you've shown and I wish peace, love and protection for all of you.' Gratton-Camis also told Denver 7 she wants her daughter to be remembered as someone who was not afraid to take a stand. 'I want her legacy to be her positivity,' she said. 'She educated so many people. She would talk to people of all ages. She did haircuts for the homeless. 'She would never advertise that or post on Facebook because she felt everybody deserved to feel beautiful and clean.' But Gratton would often shared personal milestones with her followers. As a transgender woman, she documented her surgical journey openly and vulnerably. In March 2023, she marked a major milestone — her first year sober. 'I am no longer running away from my emotions and feeling, that I'm walking in the light of a spiritual path,' she wrote at the time. 'The love and support that has been shown and given to me, makes me value my self worth, I deserve a life of freedom filled with love and growth. Blessed it be!!!'

Justice Minister voices concern over time taken to find Tina Satchwell's body
Justice Minister voices concern over time taken to find Tina Satchwell's body

BreakingNews.ie

time11 hours ago

  • BreakingNews.ie

Justice Minister voices concern over time taken to find Tina Satchwell's body

Minister for Justice Jim O'Callaghan has raised concern with the Garda Commissioner over how long it took to find the body of murder victim Tina Satchwell. Jim O'Callaghan also said it would be preferable if An Garda Síochána had its own cadaver dog to help find human remains. Advertisement He said there is currently just one cadaver dog on the island of Ireland which belongs to the Police Service of Northern Ireland (PSNI). Minister for Justice Jim O'Callaghan has raised concerns (Brian Lawless/PA) It was announced last week that both the investigation into the murder of Mrs Satchwell, and of Co Kerry farmer Michael Gaine, will be reviewed. A report is to be compiled and given to Mr O'Callaghan on Mrs Satchwell's disappearance while the case of Mr Gaine is undergoing a peer review. Speaking on RTÉ Radio One's This Week programme, Mr O'Callaghan said he had his quarterly meeting with Garda Commissioner Drew Harris last week and brought up the murder of Mrs Satchwell. Advertisement 'I think from the outset it has to be said that gardai deserve to be commended for getting justice in this case,' he said. 'The person responsible for her murder, Richard Satchwell, is now serving a life sentence. 'However I did raise with the commissioner concern about the fact it had taken a considerable period of time to find her body and he said he is going to prepare a report on that.' It took six years before Mrs Satchwell's body was found. Advertisement Mr O'Callaghan pointed out there are 'very devious people out there who go to very great lengths to hide their crimes'. 'That was the case with Richard Satchwell, and it is also the case with the person responsible for the murder of Mike Gaine who hasn't yet been apprehended,' he said. Asked whether a cadaver dog should have been brought into the Satchwell home in 2017 during the investigation, Mr O'Callaghan said 'probably, it should have happened'. He said he also spoke to Mr Harris about the effectiveness of cadaver dogs. Advertisement 'They're a very specialised dog in terms of trying to train them, there is one on the island of Ireland, the PSNI has one,' he said. 'That dog is sought by many police forces in Britain as well. We got the use of the dog here and he was of much assistance. 'It obviously would be preferable if we had a cadaver dog. They have a very limited work life, cadaver dogs, they're only operational for a period of about three years, they have to go through a very difficult training process. 'It would be preferable if the cadaver dog available on the island had been used earlier.' Advertisement

DOWNLOAD THE APP

Get Started Now: Download the App

Ready to dive into the world of global news and events? Download our app today from your preferred app store and start exploring.
app-storeplay-store