Select a region
The half-sister of a man accused of murder in 1990 has told the Royal Court he admitted to stabbing a woman in the heart and boasted that the police were “stupid” and “thought it was a burglary gone wrong.”
Barbara Mary Griffin (59) and her aunt, Emma Maria Elvina Anton (85), were stabbed in their home on Le Geyt Road, St. Saviour, on 2 August 1990. Ms Griffin died from her wounds.
Rickie Michael Tregaskis (52) is pleading not guilty to the murder of Ms Griffin and the attempted murder of Ms Anton.
Concluding the first of what is anticipated to be a three-week trial, the Royal Court heard from Mr Tregaskis’ half-sister, Diane Harvey.
She told the jury that the defendant had confessed to the killing of Barbara Griffin, and the attempted murder of Emma Anton.
Ms Harvey said that Mr Tregaskis had first confessed shortly after he had been acquitted at his previous trial when he came over to visit her in Guernsey.
She said "he told me he stabbed her [Ms Griffin] in the heart, once" and confirmed stabbing Emma Anton too. She also recalled him saying that the “police were stupid” and “thought it was a burglary gone wrong."
Ms Harvey also said she seemed "to remember him saying he got in the toilet window", wearing "white socks on his hands and feet".
Solicitor General Matthew Jowitt, prosecuting, asked Ms Harvey what his demeanour was like, to which she responded: "He was quite cocky because he got away with murder."
Assisting the defence, Advocate Mark Boothman asked Ms Harvey why she continued to let Mr Tregaskis stay with her after the alleged confession. She claimed he’d pledged never to hurt her family.
In the afternoon, the Royal Court heard from former Detective Inspector Lee Turner who had taken on the cold case review. He discussed how the investigation was handled.
Advocate Boothman went on to state that there was no evidence of a knife during their searches, nor was there evidence of clothing being burnt. When Mr Tregaskis was initially taken in for questioning, despite his request of asking for a lawyer and none being available, he consented to the continuation of questioning.
The trial continues next week.
Murder accused ‘admitted 1990 killing to prison mate’, court told
"It was horrendous” - Islanders recall night of stabbing 32 years ago
Royal Court murder trial hears claims accused admitted the killing
Comments
Comments on this story express the views of the commentator only, not Bailiwick Publishing. We are unable to guarantee the accuracy of any of those comments.