Met Police officers are continuing to search in Croydon for body parts belonging to Sarah Mayhew after she was allegedly murdered, cut up with power tools and then had her remains scattered in a field in New Addington, a court has heard. Gemma Watts, 48, of Featherbed Lane on the Forestdale and New Addington border in Croydon, appeared at the Old Bailey on Thursday morning (April 11), charged with murdering 38-year-old Sarah and preventing the lawful and decent burial of her body in New Addington.
Watts appeared over video link from Bronzefield prison and spoke only to confirm her name. She again appeared to have a dark bruise around one of her eyes. Prosecutor Tom Little KC told the court Ms Mayhew was allegedly murdered on March 8 this year, before her body was ‘cut up into a number of parts’, some of which are still missing.
“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,” Mr Little told the court.
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Steven Samson, 44, of Burnell Road in Sutton, is also charged with Ms Mayhew’s murder and unlawful burial, as well as three counts of indecent images. He is due to appear at the Old Bailey on Thursday afternoon. At Bromley Magistrates’ Court on Tuesday (April 9) the court heard the indecent images offences are ‘connected’ to the main charges.
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 Watts ‘Do you understand?’, to which she replied ‘I do, yes’.
‘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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