Thief testifies victim abused him in Oxford murder trial

Summarised from 2 outlets · Updated 15 Oct, 06:03 · Archive

A prolific thief has claimed the murder victim repeatedly assaulted him before her death.

Mark Conway, a prolific thief who lived with Helen Rundle from 2016, testified at Oxford Crown Court that she abused him repeatedly. He claimed she poured boiling water over him, stabbed him with scissors, and threw an aerosol can at him. When asked why she did these things, Conway told the court: 'I don't know', adding that she 'was not a nice person'.

Conway was a key witness in the murder trial of Carl Rundle, who is accused of killing his mother, Helen Rundle, 64, on 27 January at their home at The Park in Harwell. Conway had moved out of the home days before her death, after Helen Rundle was arrested for common assault following an argument with him over lost tobacco. During that incident, she held up a glass ornament as if to strike him, but backed down when Carl Rundle began recording on his phone, the jury heard.

Videos taken from Carl Rundle's phone and played in court showed arguments within the household concerning money, including disputes over benefits payments.

How it is being reported

• Prolific thief claims dead woman 'abused' him in Oxford murder trialIn an ongoing murder trial at Oxford Crown Court a prolific thief who lived with the victim alleged she abused him.Oxford Mail · 15 Oct, 05:00
• Prolific thief claims dead woman 'abused' him in Oxford murder trialIn an ongoing murder trial at Oxford Crown Court a prolific thief who lived with the victim alleged she abused him.Oxfordshire Guardian · 15 Oct, 05:00

In this story: Mark Conway · Helen Rundle · Carl Rundle · Oxford Crown Court · Harwell

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