ALCOHOLIC KILLED GIRLFRIEND AFTER BELIEVING SHE HAD SEX WITH DRUG DEALER
During ongoing proceedings at Stafford Crown Court, it was presented that Gary Andrew Tyson, aged 36 and residing on Shirland Street in Chesterfield, allegedly assaulted Gemma Stevens by stamping on her head at her residence on Catherine Street, Brampton, on March 2.The following day, Tyson reportedly returned to her bloodstained house and set it on fire.
Tyson, who has acknowledged causing Gemma Stevens’ death but denies it was murder, claims diminished responsibility as a defense.
He is also accused of enlisting his 26-year-old cousin, Jamie Philip Bray from Kingsclere Walk, Grangewood, Chesterfield, to help remove evidence from Gemma’s home and to give the false impression that she died in the blaze.
Psychiatrist Dr.
Andrew Bickle testified that Tyson suffers from alcoholism, substance abuse, depression, suicidal thoughts, and panic attacks.
He explained that Tyson suspected Gemma was engaged in sexual activity with a crack dealer because of her overly familiar behavior with the man.
Tyson reportedly saw them together several times but did not witness them having sex.
According to Dr.
Bickle, Tyson believed Gemma was obtaining crack cocaine in a manner similar to prostitution, and they argued about this on March 2, the day she was killed.
The next day, Tyson told the doctor he had flushed her cocaine down the toilet during an argument and claimed she struck him, though he later claimed amnesia prevented him from recalling the incident.
Pathologist Dr.
Stuart Hamilton confirmed that Gemma Stevens, a 32-year-old mother of three, died from head injuries consistent with blunt force trauma, likely from stamping.
The prosecution noted she also had a stab wound to her back and evidence of attempted strangulation, albeit with some inconsistencies.
Prosecutor Michael Auty QC argued Tyson attempted to clean blood from Gemma’s home after her death and suggested he may have had difficulty moving her body, which prompted him to seek help from Bray just before midnight.
CCTV footage reportedly showed Tyson and Bray loitering near an old Robinson’s factory on Chester Street, seemingly trying to determine if Gemma’s body had been discovered.
Neighbor Ibrar Khan reported hearing bin movements, an alarm, and swearing near the property around 1:30 am on March 3.
Another neighbor, Deaton Josephs, heard popping sounds before seeing the house on fire and called the fire brigade at about 2 am.
The fire service initially believed the fire's purpose was to destroy evidence but soon realized Gemma had sustained serious injuries, including wounds above her left eye and on her lower back.
Bloodstains were found throughout the house, leading to a murder investigation.
Following his arrest, Tyson did not respond to police questions.
He has pleaded not guilty to murder, citing diminished responsibility, yet admits to causing Gemma’s death and setting the fire recklessly, risking the safety of nearby properties.
Prosecutor Mr.
Auty indicated Tyson intends to rely on diminished responsibility as a means to reduce the murder charge to manslaughter.
