Murder accused asked colleague to drive her to an airport, court hears (From News Shopper)

Murder accused asked colleague to drive her to an airport, court hears

2:42pm Friday 17th February 2012 in News By Nina Massey

THE woman accused of murdering a Downham pensioner asked a colleague to drive her to an airport or train station before her arrest, a court has heard.

Pat Jobson, aged 86, was found dead at her home in Oakridge Road, on February 20 last year.

Karen Williamson, aged 46, of Rangefield Road, Downham, denies murder.

Williamson was first arrested in connection with the murder on February 26 last year.

She had been out on a shift as an Ocado delivery driver with a colleague, when another colleague, Simon Garroway was asked to go and collect her and bring her back to the Dartford depot.

Giving evidence at the Old Bailey today Mr Garroway said he did not know why he was being asked to collect Williamson, until she told him the police were waiting for her at home.

He told the court: "She just said that she had had a phone call telling her that the police were waiting for her at her house and that her son was there."

Mr Garroway told jurors he remembered Williamson telling him that a lady she had been doing some gardening work for had been murdered.

He said: "She said that someone had told her that she had been one of the last people to see the lady alive."

Jurors heard that Williamson told Mr Garroway that the police had already spoken to her in connection with the murder.

He said: "I think she was under the impression that the police might need to speak to her about the murder again."

Prosecutor Brian Altman asked Mr Garroway if Williamson had said anything to him as a joke.

Mr Garroway replied: "When we was driving back, Karen turned around and said would I take her to an airport or a train station."

He told jurors that she asked him this a second time, but that it sounded a bit more serious.

Mr Garroway told jurors that upon arriving back at the Depot in Dartford, Williamson was looking around to see any cars that she didn't recognise.

The trial continues.