Crawley man stands trial accused of murdering Rotherfield mum

A Crawley man accused of killing a Rotherfield mum has appeared in court this week.
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Jayesh Gobar, 35, unemployed, of Moorland Road, Maidenbower, Crawley, is standing trial at Hove Crown Court accused of murdering Nelly Myers, 58.

The court heard on Wednesday (December 2), how Ms Myers was tragically found dead at her home in Court Meadow Close, Rotherfield, on December 18, last year.

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Giving evidence, police constable Jennifer Stanwick, based in Eastbourne, told the court she and other officers were called to Ms Myer’s home at 8pm following concerns for her welfare.

Jayesh Gobar outside courtJayesh Gobar outside court
Jayesh Gobar outside court

“A woman had been out of contact with her son so we went to do a welfare check,” she said.

“Her son had also contacted a neighbour.”

PC Stanwick told the court when she looked through the window of Ms Myers’ home she could see an overturned table and lights on.

She knocked on the door loudly but there was no answer, the court heard, before she entered the property using keys provided by Ms Myers’ neighbour.

Nelly Myers was found dead at her home in Rotherfield. Picture: Sussex PoliceNelly Myers was found dead at her home in Rotherfield. Picture: Sussex Police
Nelly Myers was found dead at her home in Rotherfield. Picture: Sussex Police
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PC Stanwick said when she walked into the property she saw a woman on the floor on the base of the staircase.

She told the court: “She was lying on her back with both legs tucked underneath, one of her arms was out stretched, while the other was covering her face.

“There was blood around her head and on the carpet.

“There were bruises on her torso and arms.”

An officer at the scene in RotherfieldAn officer at the scene in Rotherfield
An officer at the scene in Rotherfield

PC Stanwick said there was also a clump of hair on the floor.

She told the court she and other officers noticed a hallway table that was broken, a smashed oven door, a bar stall on its side and items and glass strewn across the floor.

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PC James Betterbridge, based in Polegate, was called to Ms Myers’ home alongside PC Stanwick. He told the court he saw a woman on the floor and called out to her but there was no response.

He knelt down beside her and confirmed she had sadly passed away, the court heard.

A forensic investigator at the scene in RotherfieldA forensic investigator at the scene in Rotherfield
A forensic investigator at the scene in Rotherfield

The woman – who was identified as Ms Myers – was wearing black knee high boots, a black top and blue denim jeans, PC Betterbridge told the court.

“Her legs were awkwardly bent backwards – she was laying on top of them,” he said.

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“There was extensive bruising on her torso and wrists and bleeding on her face.

“To the rear of her head there was a large wound and there was blood on the carpet from that wound.”

An empty glass vodka bottle was next to Ms Myers’ hand, the court heard, and a clump of black hair, similar to Ms Myers’, was near to the porch.

Detective Sergeant Dennis Phelan, of Sussex Police, told the court there were traces of saliva and blood in the property – including blood stains on a bed.

Jayesh Gobar outside courtJayesh Gobar outside court
Jayesh Gobar outside court
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The court also heard evidence on Wednesday from Ms Myers’ friend, Karen Webster.

She said Ms Myers, who she referred to as Nelly, was feeling low in November, last year, after Mr Gobar, the accused, had contacted her after getting out of prison.

Ms Myers was in a relationship with Mr Gobar before he went to prison, the court heard.

Ms Webster told the court: “I don’t know why she was feeling low, maybe she had an argument with him.

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“I think she was beginning to see he wasn’t a very good influence on her and he wasn’t the person she first thought he was.”

Ms Webster said she met up with Ms Myers for a coffee, who told her she had given Mr Gobar money to buy a phone and some credit, but she had not heard from him for a few days.

“He phoned her and she spoke to him in front of me,” she said.

“She was speaking to him in quite a loving tone. I heard her sign off and said she loved him.

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“She asked him why he hadn’t called her but I don’t know what he said in response.”

Ms Webster told the court she met up with Ms Myers again on December 12, for a Christmas meal with the girls.

Ms Myers looked well and had lost a bit of weight, Ms Webster said.

She confirmed the last time she spoke to Ms Myers was on Whatsapp about how nice it was to catch up.

Mr Gobar denies murder.

The trial continues.