Man jailed for life for 'callous' murder of ex-girlfriend who he kidnapped and killed in North Yorkshire woodland hideout

Slighted Andrew Pearson was "unable to accept" his relationship with 30-year-old Natalie Harker had ended, a court heard, and continued to pester her in the weeks after she broke it off.

He then plotted to kidnap her while she was cycling to work from her home at Brough with St Giles, near Catterick Garrison in North Yorkshire, before dawn on October 9 last year.

Unemployed Pearson laid in wait for Miss Harker and ambushed her, forcing her into woodland behind the Colburn Industrial Estate in which he had pitched a tent days earlier, and killed her.

He then waited several hours before calling for help, in which time he had a 42 minute FaceTime call with a friend while Miss Harker's lifeless body lay next to him.

A 999 call recording issued by North Yorkshire Police hears Pearson sobbing down the phone and lying to the operator, claiming Natalie had slipped and fallen into a stream and that he had been unable to revive her.

Her cause of death was later determined as compression to the neck and immersion in water.

During Pearson's trial, a jury heard how a post-mortem revealed Pearson had also had sex with Miss Harker - with the judge later concluding that this would have been non-consensual - although tests were unable to determine if this took place before or after her death.

Pearson, 45, of Chestnut Crescent, was found guilty of kidnap and murder at Teesside Crown Court yesterday (Thursday) and was told in sentencing today that he may never be released.

A judge described Pearson as "callous", adding that Miss Harker had been "hardworking, diligent and loyal", described by those who knew her as "a breath of fresh air".

Sentencing him, His Honour Judge Stephen Ashurst told Pearson: "Your conduct towards her meant that she died a lonely and undignified death. Your failure to find or seek any help for the time when she was gravely ill and facing death is a serious aggravating feature.

"You then sought to conceal what you had done. You hid her bicycle in a depression in the woods, and the information derived from your mobile phone shows there was a considerable amount of activity by you after Natalie had lost consciousness.

"The fact that, having texted your friend in America, you were able to engage in a 42 minute FaceTime call with the lifeless body next to you displays a remarkable degree of callousness towards a woman you say was the love of your life."

Judge Ashurst added: "I'm satisfied you knew what you were about on that day, and perhaps the only sensible explanation as to why you remained with Natalie's dead body before summoning the authorities was because you found it almost impossible to come to terms with the enormity of what you did to her. That, in my judgement, is perhaps the most charitable interpretation that can be put on these very sad events."

A heartbreaking victim impact statement from Miss Harker's father, John Harker, read out in court said he was constantly waking to the "gut-wrenching" realisation that his daughter, who was living at home with her parents and brother at the time of hear death, would never be walking through the door.

"Natalie not being here has left a huge hole in our lives. It's almost as if I have lost a limb.

"We will never get over losing our little girl – I'll never get to hug her or see her gorgeous smile."

Miss Harker's brother, Alistair Harker, said in a statement that he felt "lost" and "completely on my own" without Natalie, who he called his "right arm".

John Elvidge QC, for Pearson, said the defendant understood the family's heartfelt statements as well as the impact of the matter on his own family, who have been present in court throughout the trial.

He added that Pearson had never shown violence or aggression towards Miss Harker during their relationship.

Pearson was given a life sentence with a minimum of 25 years, minus the 400 days he has already spent in custody.

Judge Ashurst added: "If it remains necessary for the protection of the public, you will continue to be detained after that date and therefore may never be released."

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