The Borchester Echo reports on Helen’s trial
As well as a packed public gallery, Helen’s trial has drawn a lot of media attention. We’ve managed to get hold of one of The Borchester Echo’s latest reports.
Borchester Echo: Ambridge bloodbath mother trial begins
In a case that has rocked the county, the “fragile” Ambridge housewife and mother of two, Helen Titchener, who stabbed her local hero husband with a kitchen knife in front of her five year old child in their country cottage, currently on trial at Borchester Crown Court, acted “in self defence” says defence lawyer Anna Tregorran.
The rural idyll became the scene of a terrifying bloodbath as ambulances surrounded picturesque Blossom Hill Cottage in the sleepy village of Ambridge, Borsetshire.
The case so far has been fraught with drama. Judge Loomis had to reprimand a witness and resorted to halting proceedings when family members of complainant Rob Titchener became disruptive, jeering at the statement given by Mr Titchener’s former wife. During the pause a juror was found to have made comments about the case on Twitter. The juror was later dismissed and may face contempt of court charges.
Helen Titchener’s 5 year old son Henry was adopted by Rob Titchener over the course of their relationship, and Mrs Titchener gave birth to the couple’s second child whilst in prison awaiting trial.
Ambridge resident Rob Titchener sustained horrific and life-changing injuries after from the attack. His current wife, the accused Helen Titchener and his ex-wife Jess Myers, who appeared as a witness for the accused, both described Mr Titchener as a controlling and manipulative spouse. Local sports club manager Kirsty Miller, who was first on the scene and dialled emergency services, appeared as a witness, telling jurors that Mrs Titchener was “frightened” of her husband, and described giving Mrs Titchener a ‘burner’ phone in case she needed to call for help.
The Prosecution however insist that the victim, Mr Titchener, is a pillar of the Ambridge community, a keen village cricketer, an adoring father, and a hero in the local recent floods that devastated the village.
The family declined to comment, but Ambridge resident Emma Grundy described the accused as “the perfect mother to her boys and a lovely woman. We’re all so shocked.”
The victim’s father, Bruce Titchener of Hampshire, said “Rob has been made a fool of by women all his life. This woman is clearly deranged and the idea that she is bringing up my grandson in prison is just outrageous. This whole trial is an absolute farce.”
Mrs Titchener had previously suffered from mental health issues and has a troubled past, with the death of her elder brother John when she was a teenager and the suicide of her former partner.
The case continues.
