Boxer, 69, appears in court over unsolved 11-year-old murder of postmistress ... trends now
A retired boxer has been charged with the murder of a pensioner found stabbed to death in her bungalow 11 years ago.
David Newton, 69, appeared in court today in connection with the killing of Una Crown, 86.
The retired postmistress, of Wisbech, Cambridgeshire, died from stab wounds to her neck and chest, according to a post-mortem examination at the time.
The case was featured on the BBC's Crimewatch programme last year when a £20,000 reward was offered for information leading to an arrest.
Newton, also of Wisbech, appeared at Cambridgeshire Magistrates Court for a two-minute appearance, after which he was remanded into custody.
David Newton, 69, has been charged with the murder of a pensioner found stabbed to death in her bungalow 11 years ago
Una Crown, 86, whose throat was slit before her body was torched 11 years ago
Una Crown and her late husband Jack Crown. The widow's murder has been unsolved for years
The last image of Una Crown alive - CCTV taken at Wisbech Tesco on January 11 2013
Mrs Crown was last seen alive on January 11, 2013, and spoke to a friend at about 5pm the following day. Her body was found in a pool of blood on January 13 by a relative.
Police initially treated the death as unexplained before the post-mortem examination revealed what had happened.
The widow's clothing had been set alight in what was believed to be an attempt to destroy evidence and conceal her injuries. Officers at first thought she had set herself alight while using her cooker.
Mrs Crown's niece, Judy Payne, 80, whose husband John discovered the pensioner's body, has long campaigned for justice.
She said today: 'I'm not in a position to say anything on the matter as of yet.'Father-of-three Newton, who acts as full-time carer for his wife, Janet, was honoured with an award in 2016 after donating his 101st pint of blood.
He said at the time: 'I used to bleed profusely if I got a knock on the nose and I just thought it would be a good idea to start giving blood when I stopped boxing.
'Every pint of blood can help four people. I have given 101 pints, so I could easily have helped save the lives of 400 people.'
Accepting a certificate marking his contribution, he added he hoped to double his donations.
Concerns were only raised about Mrs Crown's death two days after body was found when a mortuary technician feared she had been attacked.
But it was another two days before a pathologist confirmed she had died from stab wounds to her neck and chest and had defensive wounds to her hands.
As a result, detectives launched a murder inquiry and revealed that Mrs Crown's wedding ring, front door key, and £40 were missing.
Cambridgeshire Police arrested a man on suspicion of murder yesterday and confirmed today that Newton had been charged.
Newton, who was wearing thick rimmed glasses a brown sweater stood in the glass-fronted dock throughout the hearing.
Presiding magistrate Glennis Virgo told him: 'We are sending this case to a crown court hearing on Thursday April 18.
The retired postmistress, of Wisbech, Cambridgeshire, died from stab wounds to her neck and chest, according to a post-mortem examination at the time
