Wife 'killed for insurance cash'

Natalie Williams was reported missing on 23 April 2002

A husband accused of strangling and drowning his wife was facing financial ruin, a jury has heard.

The body of Natalie Williams was found in the River Avon less than two days after her husband told police she had disappeared after taking the dog for a walk.

Randle Williams, 43, denies murdering his 33-year-old wife but prosecutors told Bristol Crown Court the evidence painted "an overwhelming picture of guilt".

Mark Evans QC, for the prosecution, said the couple's marriage had been "turbulent and difficult" for some time and that Mr Williams was facing "financial disaster".

Mr Williams, from Bradford-on-Avon, was trying to buy a property near Whitchurch, Hants, that he could not afford, with completion due the day his wife disappeared, said Mr Evans.

The prosecutor added that the software company Mr Williams had set up was in liquidation and he was trying to fund a management buy-out, but had used a loan for that purpose to pay a deposit for the house.

Mr Williams had also borrowed £70,000 from a friend, from which he spent £43,000 on a Porsche.

He added that there were "more sinister developments", with the accused trying to insure both the couple's lives for £665,000 each in March.

New wills were drawn up so any survivor would inherit everything, and an agreement giving Randle powers of attorney if Natalie died or was disabled was witnessed the day before her death.

Clothes found

Mr Evans told the jury that after Natalie's death, Mr Williams tried to process a claim on that insurance, not revealing that he had already been charged with her murder.

Mr Evans said that Mr Williams had reported his wife missing on 23 April, telling police she had taken the dog for a walk but the animal came back wet and alone.

Mr Williams was arrested on April 24 after Natalie's body was found in the river near their home.

Mr Evans said Mr Williams was released without charge but followed by police, and was seen twice visiting a lay-by at Biss Bottom, near Warminster.

There police found items including refuse sacks and towels linked to the couple's home, and clothing covered in the same river water and mud as at the murder scene, he said.

Analysis showed Mr Williams's DNA on a t-shirt and that he had worn a pair of trainers found there.

Cat and dog hair on the clothes also matched the couple's pets, according to the prosecution.

The case continues.