Bradford & District | Archive | 1998 | May | 02
From the Telegraph & Argus, first published Saturday 2nd May 1998.
The parents of murdered prostitute Maureen Stepan told yesterday of their disgust and shock at hearing how her killer has been granted a retrial.
George Naylor, 53, formerly of Manchester Road, Bradford, was jailed for life after the murder of the 18-year-old in June 1995. The judge at the time recommended he should serve at least 20 years behind bars.
But yesterday Lord Justice Roch had ordered a new trial after hearing claims that the jury had been allowed to hear inadmissible evidence, allegedly linking Naylor to the crime.
"We are flabbergasted," said tearful Mr Stepan, 43, shaking with shock and anger.
His wife, also called Maureen, said of Naylor: "We are very shaken up."
Both say they are still grieving for their daughter despite support from family and church friends.
"It's been three years and we haven't really coped," said Mrs Stepan, also 43, who last year tried to take her own life.
"We are still getting counselling and are on anti-depressants."
Maureen's parents have been unable to go back to work since the day police broke the news of the murder. "It's had a terrible impact on this family. Everybody loved her. She was a good kid. If she hadn't been on drugs she would not have been into anything else. I don't want that murderer back out," said Mrs Stepan.
Her husband added: "It's never had the chance to go away. Following her murder we had to wait for two post mortems, then the lead up to the trial, then the trial, then the news about the appeal. Every couple of months since June 1995 there has been something to throw it all back up again.
"We've hardly been out of the door except for bare necessities."
Detective Chief Inspector Allan Doherty, who was the officer in the case, was present at the Court of Appeal for yesterday's hearing.
He told the T&A: "We are still waiting for the actual reasons for the decision but we have already started preparing for the retrial."
Mr Doherty added that an officer had been sent round to inform Mr and Mrs Stepan as soon as the result came through.
Naylor was not in court to hear the decision having waived his right to attend yesterday's hearing. He will remain in custody at Wakefield Prison pending the new trial.
No date has been set for the hearing.
Lord Justice Roch announced that the court would give its reasons for ordering the retrial at a later date.
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