Omagh woman admits role in murder case ‘cover-up’

AN Omagh woman has admitted being part of an alleged ‘cover-up’ after the death of showjumper Katie Simpson over three years ago.

Jill Robinson (42), of Blackfort Road, is one of four defendants charged in connection with the 21-year-old woman’s death in August 2020. During a review of the case at Laganside Crown Court on Friday, Robinson admitted a charge of perverting the course of justice.

She had previously denied the allegation.

Former jockey, Jonathan Creswell (35), previously of Briar Hill Gardens, Greysteel but now with an address which cannot be published, denies murdering Ms Simpson on August 3, 2020 and raping her at some time beforehand.

Three women, including Robinson, who are all connected to Creswell through the equestrian industry, are charged with offences relating to the alleged ‘cover-up’ of Katie’s murder in the aftermath.

The others are Hayley Robb (30), from Weavers Meadow, Banbridge, and Rose de Montmorency-Wright (22), of Craigantlet Road, Newtownards.

While the trio initially denied their respective charges, all three have now entered guilty pleas.

Robinson has accepted perverting the course of justice by washing Creswell’s clothes on August 3, 2020.

The trial, which is scheduled for April 2024, will now take place without the women in the dock.