Stepdad accused of murdering student who was found dead in halls on her 20th birthday declines to give evidence
Carla Georgescu, whose body was found at Ribble Hall on what would have been her 20th birthday, was allegedly killed by Nathan Owens, driven by a "dangerously entrenched sexual obsession" with her.
Nathan Owens, 34, from Hartlepool, will not enter the witness box at Preston Crown Court, and his defence is calling no evidence. Mr Justice Jacobs confirmed Owens knew jurors could draw inferences from his silence. He denies murdering Carla Georgescu, 19, at Ribble Hall in Preston. Prosecutors say he messaged her at night claiming her mother had left a purse behind.
Carla's mother asked for a welfare check after her daughter failed to reply on her birthday.
Prosecutors allege jealousy over Carla's plan to meet her online boyfriend fuelled the attack.
Owens allegedly left wearing Carla's trainers, hiding his face behind an umbrella.
