A stepfather accused of murdering a student at her university accommodation in Lancashire has declined to give evidence at his trial. Nathan Owens, 34, is alleged to have attacked and killed Carla Georgescu at her halls of residence in Preston.
Carla was found lifeless on her 20th birthday on February 5, 2026, a court heard. She was discovered suspended from a wardrobe with injuries to her hands, cheek and sexual injuries. She was wearing incontinence pants and there was a sex toy positioned close to her body.
Prosecution Case Concludes
The prosecution alleges Carla's stepfather Nathan Owens murdered her after developing a twisted sexual obsession with her. He may have been fuelled by sexual jealousy after learning she planned to meet her online boyfriend for the first time in Romania, Nicholas Lumley KC told a trial at Preston Crown Court.
The prosecution has now concluded presenting their case against Mr Owens, having submitted all evidence against him. On Monday (October 19), the defence confirmed they would not be presenting any evidence, and Mr Owens would not be entering the witness box to provide testimony.
The judge, Mr Justice Jacobs, enquired whether defence barrister Mr Elvidge had informed his client that jurors could 'draw such inferences as appear proper' from his decision not to give evidence, reports Lancs Live. Mr Elvidge confirmed Mr Owens had received this advice and comprehended its implications.
Events Leading to Carla's Death
The prosecution, headed by Nicholas Lumley KC, alleges Mr Owens killed Carla in an assault potentially driven by sexual jealousy. They said Mr Owens visited the second-year psychology student at Ribble Hall during the early hours of 4 February 2026, and was the final person to see her alive.
CCTV footage presented in court depicts Carla admitting her stepfather into the accommodation block at approximately 4.30am. The weekend prior to Carla's death, her mother had stayed with her, buying birthday gifts and watching television together in her room.
Mr Owens met up with the pair for dinner on Sunday, February 1, before heading back with his wife to their Hopps Street home in Hartlepool. During the early morning of February 2, Mr Owens sent Carla a message explaining that her mum had forgotten her purse and required it ahead of Carla's planned journey to Romania on February 5.
He indicated they were travelling to retrieve it and would arrive at the halls within a couple of hours, the jury has heard. Upon arrival, Mr Owens positioned his vehicle away from the designated parking area and concealed his head with a blanket as he made his way towards the halls of residence.
Trial Continues
He departed an hour and a half afterwards and travelled back to Hartlepool before his wife awoke, the jury was told. Mr Owens kept quiet about the journey to Preston until Carla's mother contacted the mortuary on February 6.
Carla's death was originally believed to be suicide, though a murder inquiry was initiated soon after her body was discovered. Mr Owens, from Hopps Street, Hartlepool, denies murder, GBH and strangulation.
The jury is set to reconvene today (Tuesday) when the prosecution and defence will deliver their closing arguments.
