A man previously involved in boxing, who murdered a retired postmistress by cutting her throat, was captured on video boasting about his large hands under the nickname “The Shovel” after being arrested.
David Newton, aged 70, believed he had evaded detection for the 2013 killing of Una Crown, 86, as authorities initially missed the multiple stab wounds and fire damage on her body. The case remained unsolved for over a decade until Newton’s DNA was identified on Crown’s nail clippings.
Following a two-week trial at Cambridge Crown Court, Newton was ultimately convicted of Crown’s murder in February. The case is highlighted in an upcoming episode of Channel 4’s 24 Hours in Police Custody, showcasing the efforts of Det Supt Iain Moor and his team to bring justice and closure to Crown’s family.
Footage from the program reveals Newton in police custody post-arrest, where he nonchalantly discusses his daughters’ safety and his hand size. Crown was discovered with fatal injuries in her home in Wisbech, Cambridgeshire, in 2013.
Initial investigators overlooked the suspicious nature of Crown’s death, leading to the loss of crucial forensic evidence. Newton’s DNA was eventually traced under Crown’s fingernails, providing a pivotal breakthrough in the case.
Detective Inspector Lee Martin expressed gratitude for the DNA evidence shielded under Crown’s body, suggesting she had safeguarded it for investigators. Newton, an alcoholic laborer, was charged with Crown’s murder in 2024 after eliminating male relatives in his lineage.
The jury, following extensive deliberation, found Newton guilty of the murder. Newton had gained entry into Crown’s residence using a duplicate key, engaged in a fatal altercation with her, and stole money before leaving.
Newton received a minimum sentence of 21 years at Cambridge Crown Court for the brutal attack on Crown. Det Supt Moor acknowledged past investigative missteps and extended apologies to Crown’s family.
Prosecutors emphasized the significance of DNA evidence in linking Newton to the crime scene. Newton’s lavish spending post-murder raised suspicions, with his activities observed at Wisbech Ex-Servicemen’s Club.
Catch the detailed account of the cold case murder on the program “24 Hours in Police Custody” airing on Channel 4 on Monday and Tuesday at 9 pm.