Killer sent condolences to victim's family (From St Helens Star)

Killer sent condolences to victim's family

9:43am Thursday 2nd July 2009

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A JUDGE has said questions remain over what drove Stephen Keogh to bludgeon to death a defenceless father of three.

Keogh (44) was found guilty by a majority verdict of the brutal murder of Kevin Monteith on the driveway of the victim’s home on Holt Lane, Rainhill last November.

He was handed a life sentence by Judge David Clarke at Liverpool Crown Court and told he must serve at least 15 years before being considered for parole.

Keogh, dressed in a suit as he had been throughout his two-week trial bowed his head as he learned his fate, but showed little emotion. Members of his family broke down in tears.

In contrast, members of Mr Monteith’s family cried out "yes" as the verdict was read out in a tense courtroom.

Forty-two-year-old Kevin Monteith died after he was struck over the head at least four times with a blunt object. The murder weapon has never been found. He was found face down in a pool of blood by his son Robert at around 10pm.

Keogh who had known the Monteiths for almost 20 years had developed what the prosecution alleged was an “inappropriate relationship” with Kevin’s wife Anne.

The two had repeatedly sent each other text messages, including on the day of Kevin’s death. No clear motive has ever been put forward, however, prosecutors claimed his wish to pursue a romantic relationship with Anne Monteith may have driven him to kill.

But in an emotional statement read out in court by prosecutor Andrew Menary QC on behalf of Anne, she attempted to convey the impact of the murder on her family.

She wrote: “We were married for 23 years. It wasn’t always easy and had its ups and downs. On the day he died, he was happily discussing his plans for our silver wedding anniversary. To be married that long was an achievement we were both proud of.

“On the night Stephen Keogh killed Kevin, he was given no opportunity to defend himself and was left to die alone.

“None of us had the chance to say goodbye. I considered Stephen Keogh to be a friend and that’s all it was. Especially as he was one of the first people to send condolences. I thought his sympathy to be genuine.

“To find out Stephen Keogh was responsible for Kevin’s death was awful for us all. He left Kevin in a way, in which he knew Robert would find him. It was a devastating time for Robert.

“He (Keogh) was aware that I was out of the country and not able to tend to my children. He knew Danielle was away and I had to tell her her dad was dead.

“Kevin will never see them get married or meet his grandchildren. He was the youngest of nine children.

He was the baby of the family and shouldn’t have been the first to die.

“It will affect the rest of my life. I am no longer able to do my job as a paediatric nurse and the loss of Kevin’s income has left us with a substantial financial loss.”

Addressing Keogh in the dock Judge Clarke said: “There is a background here of a long standing friendship conducted largely by text messages between you and Mrs Monteith. But I am quite satisfied that’s all it ever was and whatever feelings you had that it may go a step further, they were not shared because Anne Monteith was in a stable relationship with children and an anticipation in the future of grandchildren.

“It was a brutal killing. What happened on that night to cause you to commit that brutal murder will remain secret until you reveal it. It might at least provide an explanation for Kevin’s family and friends but it will never bring them closure. A life lost was needlessly lost.”

Detective Chief Inspector Karen Cummings, who spearheaded the investigation added: “I hope that today’s verdict goes some way to assist the family to get closure and mover forward with their lives.

“Kevin Monteith was an ordinary, everyday working father and husband and the nature of his death has touched all, including those investigating the case and living within the community.

“This was a tragic set of circumstances at a time when the Monteith family should be happily preparing for Christmas.

“I would like to thank the Crown Prosecution Service for their assistance in the matter.

”While the evidence clearly implicates Mr Keogh, there are still a number of gaps and unanswered questions for the family.”

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