Emily Longley murder trial: CPS statement

Emily Longley was found at Elliot Turner's family home in May last year Credit: ITV Meridian

Elliott Turner was today found guilty at Winchester Crown Court of the murder of his 17-year-old girlfriend Emily Longley. His parents, Anita and Leigh Turner were found guilty of perverting the course of public justice.

Following the verdict, Simon Jones, Crown Advocate for the Crown Prosecution Service Wessex said:

“This was a shocking case of domestic violence, which resulted in the death of a 17-year-old teenager.

“Emily Longley was a popular and beautiful young girl who enjoyed life, like any other teenager. In December 2010 she met Elliot Turner and became his girlfriend.

“Five months later, shortly after returning from a holiday in New Zealand, where she last saw her parents and friends, she was found dead in his bedroom at his parents’ home in Bournemouth.

“It was the prosecution case that Elliott Turner strangled Emily in the early hours of the morning on the 7th May. It was also the prosecution case that his parents Anita and Leigh removed and destroyed vital evidence as part of a cover up for their son.

“The jury have heard how Elliott Turner was aggressive, controlling, and manipulative towards Emily. The night before Emily died, he went into a night club with a lump hammer and had been making threats to kill her.

“It was Elliot Turner’s jealousy and anger that led him to kill Emily. This wasn’t simply a moment of madness, covert surveillance revealed discussions he had with his parents where he could be heard saying to them:”” I’d felt this anger for about a month before… I’d felt it in me…felt the aggression..”

“It has been our case that Elliot Turner has failed at any stage to show remorse and that he knew exactly what he was doing. There has been evidence that, before her death, he said that he would kill Emily, go to prison for it and still come out a millionaire.

“Today, he has been convicted of murder.

“During the trial he pleaded guilty to perverting the course of justice. This related to the attempts he made to get his mother to change her account to the police.

“l would like to thank, all the witnesses who supported the prosecution case, my Leader, Counsel Tim Mousley QC and the thorough and dedicated work of our colleagues from Dorset Police.

At this time, my thoughts go to Emily’s parents and family for their sad and tragic loss.”