Becky Watts: stepbrother charged with murder

The stepbrother of Becky Watts will appear in court charged with her murder exactly two weeks after the 16-year-old vanished from her home.

Nathan Matthews, 28, is to appear at Bristol magistrates court on Thursday alongside his girlfriend, 21-year-old Shauna Hoare, who is accused of attempting to pervert the course of justice.

Security around the court in the centre of Bristol, 2 miles from where body parts were found on Monday night, will be tight as anger grows over the killing of the popular teenager.

Floral tributes to Becky were mounting at the girls’ family home in the St George area of the city. Members of Becky’s family, friends and religious leaders expressed horror at the girl’s death.

Matthews and Hoare – also known as Phillips – were arrested last weekend as police searched for Becky, who went missing on 19 February.

They were initially questioned on suspicion of kidnapping. On Monday, detectives announced they had been further arrested on suspicion of murder and the police had until 3.50pm on Wednesday to release or charge the pair. Shortly after 4pm, Avon and Somerset police announced they had been charged.

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A spokesperson said: “Two people have been charged in connection with the Becky Watts investigation. Nathan Matthews, 28, of Cotton Mill Lane, Bristol, has been charged with the murder of Rebecca Watts. Shauna Hoare, 21, of Cotton Mill Lane, Bristol, has been charged with attempting to pervert the course of justice.”

The spokesperson said both remained in custody and would appear at 10am on Thursday.

Rachael Scott, of the Crown Prosecution Service, said: “There is sufficient evidence to charge Nathan Matthews with the murder of Becky Watts. I have also concluded that there is sufficient evidence to charge Shauna Hoare with attempting to pervert the course of justice.

“Proceedings are now ongoing and the defendants have the right to a fair trial. It is very important that there should be no reporting, commentary or sharing of information online which could in any way prejudice these proceedings.”

Matthews is a delivery driver and claims on his Facebook page that he served in the British army. Hoare posted appeals for information about Becky on social media before she was arrested. They have a young child.

Their home, which is opposite the house where Becky’s boyfriend lives, has been the scene of detailed searches since the weekend. It is less than 100m from the house in Barton Court where body parts were found.

Police continue to hold another four men and a woman, all in their 20s, on suspicion of assisting an offender. The five were arrested after the remains were discovered and police have been given extra time to question them.

Hoare was briefly taken to hospital on Tuesday night. A police spokesman said: “We can confirm that the woman in custody arrested on suspicion of the murder of Becky Watts was taken to hospital after feeling unwell in custody. She was seen by a doctor and taken back into custody a short time later.”

Members of Becky’s family expressed their anguish at what has happened while churches and other religious centres in Bristol held services, vigils and opened books of condolence.

Becky’s brother, Dan Galsworthy, 20, posted a message on Facebook describing his loss. He said: “This has left a deep hole in my heart and will continue to haunt me. To everyone messaging and supporting me I haven’t replied to any messages because I simply have no words, I thank you all and deeply appreciate everyone’s support. Love to you all.”

Sarah Broom, the sister of Becky’s father, Darren Galsworthy, posted on her Facebook page: “He [Galsworthy] is completely and utterly broken and there is nothing in this world of comfort to him. How does a parent ever recover from this? How can a family?”

Addressing the 16-year-old, she said: “So with tears rolling down my face Becky, you beautiful, beautiful soul, you have touched so many hearts and changed so many lives! Your shy, inverted nature has outshone and touched a whole city and beyond!”

Becky’s uncle, Sam Galsworthy, told ITV News: “It was the most undignified end to a beautiful life, full of promise. As her family, it’s hard to see the light at the end of the tunnel. But we know it is there and the support from family, friends and the nation will help us find that light.

“She will live on in the hearts of all of us. We will reclaim Rebecca’s dignity. And eventually, as a community, we will lay her to rest with the utmost respect and love.”

The bishop of Bristol, Mike Hill, said he struggled to understand the crime against Becky. He said: “I feel sure that people both of faith and of no faith will join with me in wishing to support the friends and family of Becky Watts in the light of the deeply shocking and unfolding news of her death.

“They have acted with dignity throughout this awful nightmare since the day Becky went missing. Together with many people, I struggle to understand why there are people who can do such things to a young girl. As the father of four daughters this crime has affected me deeply.”

It emerged on Wednesday that a house on the other side of Bristol, in Avonmouth, had also been searched.

A neighbour there said: “Two riot vans full of officers turned up and went into the house. Police wouldn’t say much, but we were told it was to do with the young girl, Becky Watts.” Police confirmed the operation was connected.

Becky’s boyfriend, Luke Oberhansli, was among those who laid flowers outside her father and stepmother’s home. Nearby, a book of condolence was set up next to a candle and flowers at St Ambrose church.

The Rev David James said: “Rebecca was a pupil of Summerhill junior school just round the corner, so she would have come here every year for the Christmas carol service. These events have truly shocked people.”

Jan Bird, 64, from St George, Bristol, visited the church with two friends to pay their respects. She said: “It’s a nightmare; a living nightmare for that family that will never go away.”

An online fundraising appeal has been set up on behalf of the Galsworthy family in a bid to raise £20,000 to pay for her funeral.

The message on the Go Fund Me page says: “With the support of the public it is our wish to give Rebecca the biggest sendoff we possibly can to honour this much-loved girl, taken far too soon. We also wish to support her immediate family while they continue to grieve through the unbearable pain and take away any financial burden they may face in the aftermath of this tragedy.”

Police efforts have been spread at search sites across Bristol since Becky vanished from her home in St George, to the east of the city centre, on 19 February. They have largely focused on Barton Court and Cotton Mill Lane in the last few days.