Stepfather charged with murdering student stepdaughter

Summarised from 2 outlets · Updated 17 Oct, 12:57 · Archive

Nathan Owens, 34, is accused of strangling 19-year-old Carla Georgescu at her student halls in Preston in February.

Nathan Owens, 34, is accused of strangling his 19-year-old stepdaughter Carla Georgescu at her student halls in Preston, Lancashire in February. Prosecutors claim he drove more than 100 miles through the night, motivated by 'sexual jealousy' after learning she planned to meet a man she had been romantically involved with online and was due to fly to Romania.

The trial at Preston Crown Court has heard that Owens kept a secret collection of images of Carla in her underwear or pyjamas doing household chores, and had filmed himself having sex with a life-sized effigy clothed in her nightdress. CCTV footage showed Carla, wearing a dressing gown and pyjamas, letting him into Ribble Hall at around 4am on 4 February. He was recorded leaving approximately 90 minutes later, concealing his head and face with a blanket, umbrella and face-mask, and wearing Carla's trainers while carrying two bags.

After leaving, Owens drove back to his home in Hartlepool, allegedly stopping to dispose of items including bedding later found to contain traces of Carla's DNA. His wife told jurors he did not mention the visit when she woke that morning. Carla's mother became worried when her daughter did not respond to messages and phone calls. The following day, which would have been Carla's 20th birthday, her mother contacted university security, who discovered Carla's body slumped against a wardrobe door with a belt around her neck.

How it is being reported

• First picture of ‘sexually obsessed’ stepdad accused of murdering teen studentNathan Owens, 34, is said to have strangled Carla Georgescu with a leather belt after driving more than 100 miles through the night to her student halls in Preston (Pictures: Lancashire Police) A man accused of murdering his 19-year-old stepdaughter after developing a ‘dangerous sexual obsession’…Metro · 17 Oct, 12:45
• First picture of 'obsessed' stepfather who 'strangled student, 19, after having sex with a life-sized effigy of her'Nathan Owens, 34, allegedly strangled Carla Georgescu in February after driving more than 100 miles through the night to her student halls in Preston, Lancashire.Daily Mail · 17 Oct, 08:12

In this story: Nathan Owens · Carla Georgescu · Preston · Lancashire · University of Lancashire · Hartlepool · Preston Crown Court

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