Jamie Reynolds

Case overview

Jamie Reynolds murdered 17-year-old Georgia Williams after luring her to his home for a photo-shoot. Reynolds was 23 at the time of the offence and had previously admitted murder. He was sentenced on December 19, 2013 to life in prison.

The court heard that Reynolds watched and was preoccupied with violent and sadistic pornography, and that he carried out what the prosecution described as a “scripted, sadistic and sexually-motivated murder”. The judge said Reynolds had plotted the killing for his own “sadistic pleasure”, and that after the killing he took sexual pleasure in Georgia Williams’ body, photographed events before and after the murder, and treated her body with contempt.

Timeline

• 26/5/13 — Georgia Williams was lured to Reynolds’ parents’ home for a photo-shoot and was murdered while his parents were away.
• 26/5/13 — Georgia Williams was reported missing from her home by her worried parents.
• 28/5/13 — Reynolds was arrested on suspicion of kidnapping her 280 miles away at a budget Premier Inn hotel in Glasgow city centre.
• 28/5/13 — The body was discovered in woodland off the Nant-y-Garth pass near Wrexham; Reynolds was charged after that discovery.
• 29/5/13 — Reynolds was arrested in Glasgow following a manhunt.
• 30/5/13 — Reynolds was arrested on suspicion of murder even though her body had not yet been found.
• 31/5/13 — Reynolds was charged with murder after her body was found dumped in woodland near Nant-y-Garth pass near Wrexham.
• 1/6/13 — Reynolds appeared at Telford Magistrates Court and was remanded in custody.
• 4/6/13 — Reynolds appeared before Stafford Crown Court for a preliminary hearing as police revealed she was killed by being choked to death with a ligature.
• 11/6/13 — Friends and family launched the Georgia Williams Trust.
• 14/6/13 — Hundreds gathered for Miss Williams’s funeral at All Saints Church, in Wellington.
• 3/10/13 — Reynolds appeared at Birmingham Crown Court where he pleaded not guilty to her murder.
• 2/12/13 — Reynolds changed his plea to guilty in the first day of his trial at Stafford Crown Court.
• 19/12/13 — Reynolds was sentenced to life in prison.

Background

Georgia Williams had been a former head girl at her old school and was described as popular and intelligent. She was also involved with an Air Training Corps squadron and a match day safety team at AFC Telford United. She had studied for A-levels at New College, Telford, and had been a member of the student council at New College.

Jamie Reynolds, a shop worker and described as a petrol station attendant and a sales assistant, had previously been reported to police on more than one occasion. During the sentencing hearing, the judge and court comments referred to earlier police attention, including:

• In 2008, police described it as a “final warning” after Reynolds trapped another 17-year-old girl in his home.
• In 2011, Reynolds was again reported after reversing his car into that of a girl who had spurned his amorous advances.

At the time of her disappearance, Georgia Williams was 17. Reynolds was 23 and from Wellington, Shropshire.

The offence

The court heard that Reynolds lured Georgia Williams to his parents’ home for a photo-shoot. It emerged that Reynolds planned the killing while his parents were away on Sunday, May 26. The judge said he had plotted murder for his own “sadistic pleasure”.

The court heard that Reynolds used a length of rope attached to a loft hatch in the house as a “hanging mechanism”. He had bought items including a rope and had learned to tie a noose and attach it to the mechanism. The court also heard he bought clothing and accessories for Georgia Williams to wear during the photo-shoot, including a leather jacket, leather shorts and high heels.

Reynolds communicated with Georgia Williams before her visit. In a message he told her he wanted to take a photograph of her “like simulation hanging, but you'd be standing on a box”. Georgia Williams arrived at the house on the evening of May 26 and told her parents and sister she would only be there for a couple of hours. The court heard that as she walked to the house there was evidence Reynolds watched extreme pornography “to stimulate himself”.

After killing her, police said Reynolds posed her body in different parts of the house, including on his parents’ bed, both partly clothed and naked. The prosecutor described the murder as including acts of sexual violation and sexual-motivated conduct. The judge said Georgia Williams “must have suffered terribly”.

Reynolds took a sequence of pictures showing events “before, during and after” the murder. The prosecutor said: “Photo 12 displays the correct time - 8.20pm. Her face still does not depict any sign of alarm and that is in fact the last photo of her alive.”

A post-mortem showed that Georgia Williams died of asphyxia due to pressure to the neck, probably caused by a ligature. Further examination found bruising in her back indicating Reynolds had levered the helpless teenager using his knee to apply further downward pressure. The prosecution said she also had abrasions caused by Reynolds when he dragged her from his van to the secluded site. The court heard he went to watch a film at the cinema in Wrexham while her body lay in the back of the van before dumping her body.

Reynolds fled and used Georgia Williams’ phone to text her mother telling her she was staying with friends overnight. He drove with her corpse in the back of his step-father’s van and later fled with her body in that vehicle. Her naked corpse was eventually found in a stream in remote woodland in the Nant-y-Garth pass, near Wrexham.

Investigation and police response

Police recovered photographs taken by Reynolds after Georgia Williams’ death that showed her “happy”, “compliant” and fully clothed, with make-up, as well as photographs described as showing her standing on a red recycling box with her hands seemingly bound behind her and the rope hanging above her. The court heard that police found extreme pornographic images and sexual stories written by Reynolds.

The prosecution said Reynolds had 16,800 images and 72 videos of extreme pornography stored on an external computer hard drive at the time of his arrest, including digitally doctored images of up to eight other women Reynolds personally knew with ropes added around their necks. The prosecutor also said Reynolds had annotated these images with male genitalia, referred to the girls in derogatory manner, and daubed some with “crude language” of a sexual nature. The court also heard that Reynolds had written 40 graphic short stories “followed by acts of sexual violation”.

Reynolds had written a “script” in which he detailed trapping and killing a victim, and the prosecutor said much of that script echoed the manner in which he had killed Georgia Williams. Texts and messages between Reynolds and Georgia Williams were read out in court. Georgia Williams had rebuffed him with the message: “I don't see you in that way. Just stop, I don't want to ruin our friendship. I told you last time, I just wanted to be friends.”

Police piecing together the events found the images, and court heard that Reynolds had also pasted over some images with images of friends’ faces. The Telegraph described that police seized between 30 and 50 images, though it was unclear whether those included Georgia Williams.

Georgia Williams was reported missing after she failed to return home. Her father Stephen Williams and her mother Lynette Williams raised the alarm when she did not return. Police investigated her disappearance and searched for personal items including a waist-length black leather type jacket, a pink flowered make-up bag, and her white Samsung Galaxy Y mobile phone.

Detective Superintendent Adrian McGee led the investigation and appealed for the public’s help to locate missing personal items. Adrian McGee said: “Despite a man appearing in court this morning charged with Georgia's murder, we still have a lot of work to do. "The support the public and the media have given to our investigation so far has been fantastic, but we need to ask for their help once more as we try to find these items. "

During the search period, Superintendent Nav Malik appealed to Georgia Williams to contact police and said she may have come to harm. Nav Malik said: “We think the driver has travelled at some point between Monday afternoon and Tuesday lunchtime. We understand he may have stopped at a truck stop, a truck location overnight, but clearly he ended up in Glasgow.”

Nav Malik also said: “At this moment in time, we don't know where Georgia is. We are very anxious to find her,” and “We are afraid she may have come to harm.” Nav Malik added: “I am concerned for Georgia's welfare and am asking for the public's help to try and locate her. "A police operation has led to the arrest of a man in Glasgow but we have so far not been able to locate Georgia. "We are keen to hear from anyone who has seen Georgia since Sunday afternoon, or has any information about her whereabouts or movements over the past few days.” He further appealed directly to Georgia Williams: “If you hear these appeals, please contact us. You are not in any trouble, we simply wish to make sure you are safe and well.”

The van Reynolds was believed to have driven left Wellington and police tracked its movement through Oswestry, Rhyl, Chester, and Cumbria before arriving in Glasgow. The van’s course was tracked using automatic number plate recognition technology.

Reynolds was arrested in Glasgow following a manhunt. He was held in a budget hotel and arrested in Glasgow city centre.

Arrest

Reynolds was arrested in Glasgow on May 29 following a manhunt. He was arrested earlier on suspicion of kidnapping as well. He was arrested on suspicion of kidnap on 28/5/13 and later arrested on suspicion of murder even though the body had not yet been found.

Reynolds later refused to divulge where he had dumped Georgia Williams’ body during interview. When questioned, Reynolds initially denied any knowledge of what had become of Georgia Williams but later said: “I just can't believe I have hurt her - that was never my intention,” as told to the court by Mr Crigman.

Trial

Reynolds was charged with murder and appeared before Telford Magistrates Court, where he was remanded in custody.

Reynolds appeared at Stafford Crown Court and pleaded not guilty earlier in the trial. He appeared at Birmingham Crown Court on 3/10/13 and pleaded not guilty. On 2/12/13, Reynolds changed his plea to guilty in the first day of his trial at Stafford Crown Court.

The prosecutor David Crigman QC outlined the prosecution case and described Reynolds as a manipulative individual and a “sexual deviant” with a “morbid fascination in pornography depicting violence towards young women in sexual context since at least 2008”. David Crigman QC described the murder as “scripted, sadistic and sexually-motivated murder” and said Reynolds planned the killing of the 17-year-old meticulously. David Crigman QC told the court about photographs relevant to “moments before and after the murder” and said: “There is photographic evidence relevant to the act moments before and after the murder took place. "There are also photos of innocent girls who put their pictures on social networking websites that have been corrupted by the defendant. "There are also certain story lines the defendant has written that we have found.”

The court also heard about what Reynolds wrote on a mobile phone and what the prosecutor said it depicted, including a story entitled “Georgia Williams in Surprise”. The prosecution said the story depicted the victim as a willing participant, which David Crigman said “could not have been further from the truth.”

Reynolds had also been accused of posing the body and taking photos before and after, and of stealing and storing clothing and jewellery. The judge later stated that Reynolds intended to continue deriving sexual pleasure by photographing the events, keeping them with him, and secreting her clothing and jewellery.

Sentencing

Reynolds received a whole-of-life jail sentence on December 19, 2013.

In court, Mr Justice Wilkie agreed with a psychiatric report and said Reynolds “had the potential to progressing to become a serial killer”. The judge said Reynolds watched Georgia Williams die in circumstances where he could have saved her and that “doing so was a central part of your pleasure.” The judge also said: “After the killing you took sexual pleasure in her body, then treated her body with contempt, dumping her in a remote area.” The judge continued: “You intended to continue to derive sexual pleasure by photographing these events, keeping them with you, and secreting her clothing and jewellery.”

The judge also said this was not a borderline case and described the starting point as whole-of-life. Mr Justice Wilkie said: “This is not a marginal or borderline case. “I am in no doubt the seriousness of your offending, so a whole-of-life term is the starting point.” He added: “I take very seriously the conclusion of (psychiatrist) Prof Paul Peckitt that you have the potential to become a serial killer.” The judge further stated he was satisfied Reynolds had “been obsessed” with carrying out his sadistic fantasy for at least five years and said: “My conclusion is that I am of the opinion that because of the seriousness of this offence no minimum term should apply.”

Appeals

No appeal information was included.

People involved

Jamie Reynolds

Jamie Reynolds was 23 at the time of the offence. He was described as a shop worker and petrol station attendant. He pleaded guilty to murdering Georgia Williams and was sentenced to life in prison on December 19, 2013.

Reynolds had written and stored pornography and stories, and he produced photographs described as showing events “before, during and after” the murder.

Georgia Williams

Georgia Williams was 17 at the time of her death. She had been a former head girl and was described as popular and intelligent. She was murdered after being lured to Reynolds’ parents’ home for a photo-shoot and was found in woodland in the Nant-y-Garth pass near Wrexham.

Steven Williams

Steven Williams was Georgia Williams’ father. He was described as a serving detective constable with West Mercia Police and was also described as having a Chief Constable Commendation. He read an impact statement in court. Steven Williams said: “I don't really want to make any comment other than today is a day for Georgia and for us to meet her friends and for us all to celebrate her life.” He also said in the victim impact statement: “Thank you for the consideration but I'd like to do it myself.” Steven Williams said: “I cry endlessly from morning to night... we have been damned by evil to endure this misery to the end of our lives.” and: “Words are used like devastated and crushed, they use them to describe impacts such as this. 'But there are none yet written that can truly convey to others what it is like, what it is really like to lose your precious daughter. 'I'm not ashamed to say I cry endlessly from morning to night. 'We have been damned by evil to endure this sorrow and misery to the end of our natural lives. 'We miss the sweet smile, the hugs and kisses and her infectious personality. 'Georgia's life was needlessly and selfishly taken and details of this case will haunt me forever. 'Georgia's life was taken for a few moments of evil self-gratification.'”

Lynnette Williams

Lynnette Williams was Georgia Williams’ mother. She watched the sentencing through tears. Lynnette Williams is identified as having received a text from Reynolds telling her that Georgia was staying with friends overnight.

Scarlett

Scarlett was Georgia Williams’ older sister. She watched the sentencing in court and appeared alongside the family.

Matthew Bird

Matthew Bird was Georgia Williams’ boyfriend. The court heard he watched Reynolds during the submission of the case. Matthew Bird said: “Today has just been outstanding. "I can't explain to you how perfect it has been and, take away my feelings, the support everyone has given to her friends and family is phenomenal. I know she would be so proud.”

Katy Lafferty

Katy Lafferty was a 17-year-old friend of Georgia Williams. She had said Georgia’s disappearance was “heart-breaking”. She also said: “Georgia said Jamie did fancy her, but she made it obvious she wasn't interested. "She just told him that their relationship was nothing more than a friendship. Apparently he tried to kiss her once, but she rejected him. I think it was a while ago though.” Another statement attributed to Katy Lafferty described: “He tried to kiss her some weeks ago. She always made it obvious she wasn't interested that way.”

Police officers and legal representatives

Detective Chief Inspector Neil Jamieson investigated and described Reynolds as “a sadistic, very dangerous and manipulative individual”. Neil Jamieson also said a multi-agency serious case review was under way.

Detective Superintendent Adrian McGee led the investigation and made the appeal quoted above.

Superintendent Nav Malik appealed during the search period and is quoted above.

Prosecutor David Crigman QC made submissions quoted above, including: “Photo 12 displays the correct time - 8.20pm.

Mr Justice Wilkie sentenced Reynolds and made the quotations above.

Other details

Georgia Williams Trust

The Georgia Williams Trust was set up in the weeks after Georgia Williams’ murder to provide a lasting long-term legacy for her local community. The trust enabled young people to access adventure, outdoor activities and volunteering.

Social media and messages

The court heard that Georgia Williams had rejected advances from Reynolds. In February she had told him: “I don't see you in that way.

Reynolds had written messages about “cursed” experiences with women and that he would be “forever alone”. One quote attributed to Reynolds was: “Whenever I arrange dates they either never happen or the girl magically gains a boyfriend. "And it's worse when you actually like someone, your stuck, happy their happy but unhappy cos it's not you.”

Another quote attributed to Reynolds on Ask.fm was: “Plus I'm still kinda recovering my confidence even now from the girl I fell hopelessly in love with, and fighting didn't save that!”

Georgia Williams posted on Twitter at 10.36am on Sunday: “Worst nights sleep in ages. £needsleep £stuffonmind now can't get back to sleep.”

Georgia Williams had updated her status on April 5 saying she was in a relationship with Matthew Bird.

Missing items search

Police appealed for missing personal items belonging to Georgia. They sought a waist-length black leather type jacket, a pink flowered make-up bag and her white Samsung Galaxy Y mobile phone.