Yahoo News Sarah Mayhew's dismembered body parts found after dog discovered bone in Croydon field
The human remains of Sarah Mayhew were found after a dog discovered a bone in a Croydon field, a court heard. Steven Sansom, of Burnell Road in Sutton, appeared at the Old Bailey via video link in a grey prison tracksuit from HMP Belmarsh on Thursday afternoon (April 11), charged with murdering 38-year-old Sarah and preventing the lawful and decent burial of her body in New Addington.
The 44-year-old also faces three counts of making indecent images of a child, which were said to be 'connected' to the main charges at a hearing at Bromley Magistrates' Court on Tuesday (April 9). At the Old Bailey prosecutor Joel Smith KC said Sarah was last seen alive on March 8, and her dismembered remains were first discovered by a dog at Rowdown Fields on the morning of April 2.
"Ms Mayhew was last seen alive on March 8. She left [someone's] house at 8pm in the evening. She was wearing a rucksack and beige coat. She was last in contact with her father that evening by WhatsApp. CCTV at 8:30pm shows her at a shop, wearing a coat with a bag," said Mr Smith.
Describing the moment her remains were discovered, Mr Smith continued: "On April 2 [a member of the public] was walking his dog across fields in Croydon. The dog found a bone and further remains were found nearby, including arms, legs, and head. The body had been cut up with power tools. The torso remains missing."
Judge Ian Katz KC set a plea hearing for June 27 this year, and a provision trial date for February 17, 2025. At the close of the hearing, Judge Katz asked Mr Sansom 'Do you understand what I have said to you Mr Sansom', to which he replied 'I do, your honour, yes'.
On Thursday morning, co-defendant Gemma Watts appeared over video link from HMP Bronzefield and spoke only to confirm her name. The 48-year-old, of Featherbed Lane on the Forestdale and New Addington border in Croydon, is jointly accused of Sarah's murder and unlawful burial, and appeared to have a dark bruise around one of her eyes.
Prosecutor Tom Little KC told the court: "There is quite a significant ongoing investigation in relation to whereabouts of the entirety of the deceased's body on the basis the her body was certainly cut up into a number of parts with the use of power tools."
'Condolences with Sarah's family'
The charges come after a murder probe was launched by the Met Police after a call at around 9am on Tuesday, April 2, with reports of human remains found on Rowdown Fields in New Addington. A Met Police spokesperson said Sarah's family are being supported through an 'extremely difficult time'.
On Tuesday morning (April 9), Commander Andy Brittain, who leads policing in Croydon, said: “I would like to thank the detectives and officers across the Met whose expertise continues to enable this speedy and thorough investigation.
"The local community has also offered much support during this time, as officers carried out this vital work, and we are very appreciative of their efforts. My sincere condolences are with Sarah’s family, and we will continue to support them as the investigation progresses.”
Anyone with information that may assist the investigation who has yet to speak with police is asked to call 101, quoting reference 1656/02Apr.
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