A man accused of murdering an artist, dismembering her body, and hiding it in a freezer for nearly three years fabricated elaborate stories about her whereabouts, a court has heard.
George Gordon, 65, is alleged to have killed Delia McInerney, 62, at his flat in St Helens, Merseyside, in April 2023, just days before she was planning to move to Portugal. Gordon claims he acted in self-defense after Ms. McInerney attacked him with a knife. The prosecution alleges the act was premeditated and motivated by financial gain.
John Lawler, Gordon's cousin and a friend of Ms. McInerney, testified that Gordon told him various 'fantasies' about Ms. McInerney's supposed travels. These included stories of her going to Australia to meet a man named Rene, running away to New Zealand with a girlfriend whose parents were 'mega rich,' having a farm in Cornwall, and traveling to Mexico, Peru, and Denmark.
"He just kept fantasizing where she was. She was here, she was there, she was moving on everywhere," Lawler told the jury.
Under cross-examination, Lawler stated that Gordon had told him, "Delia's stole all my money." He denied that Ms. McInerney had been in control of Gordon, describing him as "exceptionally generous" and someone who "seemed to enjoy spending."
The prosecution claims that in the lead-up to the alleged murder, Gordon purchased a sledgehammer and a cordless handsaw, which are consistent with how Ms. McInerney died. He also reportedly bought a copy of the surgical reference book Gray's Anatomy. After her death, Gordon is accused of withdrawing thousands of pounds from her bank accounts and fraudulently obtaining credit cards and loans in her name. For approximately 18 months, he allegedly posed as Ms. McInerney in phone messages and emails to her friends and family, perpetuating lies about her whereabouts.
Gordon's niece, Paula Tillman, testified that her uncle spoke frequently about Ms. McInerney after her alleged murder, expressing that he loved and missed her. He told Ms. Tillman that Ms. McInerney had moved to Australia, started a relationship with a woman, and that he had acted as their "sperm donor" for a baby they conceived.
Neighbors reported Gordon telling one that he and Ms. McInerney had "not long had a baby" and that she was "pregnant with another" after freezing her eggs. The court heard Gordon has a previous conviction for fraud.
Police discovered Ms. McInerney's remains in January of this year after a council official raised welfare concerns, triggering a safeguarding investigation that led them to Gordon's flat. Upon their arrival, Gordon reportedly stated, "She's in the freezer."
Gordon has admitted to offenses related to the concealment of Ms. McInerney's body and fraudulent financial activities post-mortem. He denies charges of murder and causing unnecessary suffering to an animal. The trial is ongoing.