Man jailed for murdering mother-of-three who ‘laughed off’ his advances

A man has been jailed for life for murdering a mother-of-three after she “laughed” off his advances.

Brendan Rowan-Davies, 29, slit the throat of 27-year-old Kelly-Anne Case after “torturing” her at her home in Gosport, Hampshire, which he then set alight in the early hours of 30 July 2019.

A jury at Winchester Crown Court was told that Ms Case’s hands were bound using cable ties, with her naked body being found by firefighters.

Rowan-Davies was convicted of murder and arson and will serve a minimum of 30 years behind bars.

During sentencing, judge Mr Justice Garnham said Rowan-Davies had a “sexual sadistic motive”, adding the victim was “vulnerable and defenceless.

“She was completely at your mercy and you showed her none,” he said.

The mother of the victim, Caroline Tebb, said that her daughter was “brutally and sadistically taken by a sick vile excuse of a human being”.

In a statement to the court, she added: “This oxygen thief has not only deprived me of a daughter but he also took a mother, a sister, an aunt, cousin, granddaughter and friend.

“Kelly was an attractive, young, straight-talking, independent woman. She will be sadly missed by those who truly knew her.”

During the trial, the court was told how Rowan-Davies had spent the night with a friend at Ms Case’s house, and that they had taken cocaine and drunk vodka.

Rowan-Davies, who has a learning disability, told the court that he told Ms Case that he fancied her, but “she just laughed”.

He also said that Ms Case and his friend Will Vallender went upstairs to have sex, which he then filmed using his phone through a gap in the door.

Prosecuting, William Mousley QC told the court that the two men then left, but Rowan-Davies went back alone to torture and kill Ms Case.

Mr Mousley told the court that Rowan-Davies “mutilated” the victim, adding her wounds “have the appearance of someone wanting to control or coerce or terrify Kelly-Anne so perhaps she would do what she was being told.”

Rowan-Davies apparently also burnt items of clothing, and disposed of Ms Case’s belongings, including underwear, that he had taken for his own “sexual titillation”.

Mr Mousley also said that DNA matches for Rowan-Davies and Ms Case were found on clothing and on one of the cable ties used on the victim.

Detective Inspector Toby Elcock said: “This was a horrific and planned attack on a young woman, and our thoughts remain with Ms Case’s children, friends and family.

“The defendant’s denials have meant that the people closest to Kelly have had to endure the stresses of the trial process, but I hope the verdicts returned by the jury today will help them start to move forward from this.”

(c) Sky News 2020: Man jailed for murdering mother-of-three who ‘laughed off’ his advances