David Newton convicted in 2023 for 2013 murder of Una Crown in Wisbech after DNA evidence surfaces.
![Man Guilty of Una Crown Murder After Nail DNA Match Solves Cold Case Man Guilty of Una Crown Murder After Nail DNA Match Solves Cold Case](https://i2-prod.cambridge-news.co.uk/incoming/article30998158.ece/ALTERNATES/s1200/0_David-Newton-custody-1.jpg)
Una Crown, 86, was found dead in her home in Wisbech, Cambridgeshire, on January 13, 2013. She had stab wounds and a cut throat. Someone also set her clothes on fire, and family and a neighbor called the police.
She was alive two days before and spoke to a friend the day before her death. Initially, police did not think it was murder, but a post-mortem revealed she was stabbed, prompting a murder investigation.
David Newton set her clothes on fire in an attempt to hide the injuries and destroy evidence, though the fire did not spread. A neighbor saw Newton nearby that night, walking towards her home, appearing drunk at the time.
Police questioned Newton then. He said he knew nothing about it and barely knew Mrs. Crown. He claimed he fixed her back door lock once in April or May of 2012 and never went back after that.
He was not charged until 2023. New DNA tests linked him to the crime, placing his DNA on her nails. Jurors learned the DNA was recent, and they were told that Mrs. Crown was very clean, indicating it likely got there at the time of the murder.
When shown this evidence, Newton said nothing and did not testify during his trial. His lawyers called no witnesses.
Jurors found David Newton, 70, guilty at Cambridge Crown Court after deliberating for over 29 hours. They are excused from jury duty for 10 years.
Police admitted to mistakes in 2013 and apologized to Una’s family. The police looked at the case again in 2022 as part of a normal review.
They kept key DNA evidence from under Una Crown’s fingernails. New DNA techniques, unavailable in 2013, allowed them to solve the case. The DNA put Newton at the scene and cast doubt on his story.
Newton thought he got away with it for over a decade. Police say this shows you cannot hide forever. They hope this helps Una’s family, who deserve closure and answers. Their thoughts are with the family now.
Una Crown’s niece made a statement. She thanked the prosecution, saying their world stopped when Una died, describing the attack as a brutal act on a frail, elderly widow.
The verdict prevents further harm. Since her death, family members died without seeing justice served. The family thanks everyone who helped. They can now move on.
The court will sentence him on February 14.