R vs MATTHEW FAGAN , 2008.

Sacked office worker jailed for strangling former colleague to death with her own scarf

By Daily Mail Reporter
30th September 2008

 

Matthew Fagan was jailed for life for the murder of 28-year-old Catherine Marlow

A sacked office worker was jailed for life at the Old Bailey today for strangling his former colleague with her own scarf in her office.

Catherine Marlow, a 5ft 2in finance manager was murdered by 23-stone Matthew Fagan when he broke in to steal laptops after he had been fired.

The former web production manager attacked Miss Marlow, 28, so savagely her blood covered the walls and floor of the reception area.

He battered her head, arms and legs with a hammer before throttling her from behind and dumping her body in the office shower cubicle.

Today Fagan, 32, an unemployed American, was found guilty of murder by a jury which took just three hours to reach their unanimous verdict.

The court was told that New Zealander Miss Marlow worked in Stockwell at market research company Research Now.

In January last year, eight months after being sacked, Fagan broke into the offices in South Lambeth Road on a Saturday afternoon.

Miss Marlow was catching up on work after returning from holiday in Egypt.

At about 1.30pm she called her flatmate Rachel Warren to arrange to meet at a nearby supermarket but never made the rendezvous.

Ms Warren was immediately concerned and eventually friends and colleagues went to Miss Marlow's office to make the shocking discovery.

 

Miss Marlow was attacked so savagely her blood covered the walls and floor of the reception area

Ms Marlow's jacket had been pulled up to conceal her face and a pink fluffy scarf  -  a present from her mother  -  was tied around her throat.

A fracture was later found to her right hand showing how she had battled bravely to defend herself.

Examination revealed DNA linking Fagan to the scarf and hairs on the wall. His blood was found under Miss Marlow's desk and he was further linked to traces of blood on the lift doors and tiles in the shower room.

Fagan had pleaded not guilty to murder but admitted burglary in which he stole six Dell laptop computers.

Fagan said he had been disturbed by Miss Marlow while carrying out the burglary to clear debts. But he blamed the murder on two accomplices he called John and Gregor. Police found no trace of such men.

'She kicked me a couple of times and she may have scratched me,' Fagan said. 'I ended up holding the upper half of her body. with my hand over her mouth.' He claimed 'John' pulled her into the back corridor towards the shower room.

The Common Serjeant of London Brian Barker QC told Fagan, who will serve a minimum sentence of 26 years: 'You have caused untold misery. Nobody could have failed to be moved by the words of Mr Marlow describing the pain and personal suffering at the death of his daughter.

'Every one of her family and many friends would have been struggling ever since to understand their loss and the fact she has gone forever.'

Earlier jurors had wept at the grief of Catherine's father Bernard Marlow as her brother Brendan read to the court their father's words.

'Our family has run the full gamut of emotions  -  shock, grief, anger and despair,' he said.