A man and woman have been jailed for life for the murder of Phillip Nicholson who was found dead in a flat in Boscombe.
Isabella Gossling, 20 and of Bournemouth, was told she would have to serve a minimum of 19 years before she would be considered for parole. She was convicted of murder on 9 December following a week-long trial at Winchester Crown Court.
Her boyfriend Richard Moors, 25 and also of Bournemouth, pleaded guilty to Phillip’s murder during a previous hearing at Portsmouth Crown Court on Friday 16 October 2015. He was told he would have to serve at least 22 years in prison before being considered for parole.
The pair were sentenced at Winchester Crown Court today, Monday 14 December (today).
Phillip’s body was discovered by police at around midday on Tuesday 26 May 2015 in a flat in Mallard Grange on Sea Road.
The 22-year-old, who had learning difficulties, died from a stab wound to the neck.
The court heard how Phillip had been lured to the flat of his ex-partner Gossling on the pretence of meeting another girl who they were friends with. This was in fact a lie and part of the plan that had been concocted the previous night by Gossling and Moors.
CCTV recovered during the investigation showed Phillip an hour before the attack arriving in Boscombe meeting up with Gossling and Moors and walking back with them to the flat.
Once there the pair stabbed Phillip and recorded the protracted attack on Gossling’s mobile phone.
During the recording Gossling can be heard demanding an apology from Phillip for a sexual assault on her and encouraging Moors to act and kill. This allegation was never substantiated and never reported and is believed by police to be unfounded.
After the attack the pair can also be heard discussing how to leave Phillip’s body to make it look as though he had stabbed himself with a knife. The murder weapon containing Phillip’s blood was found in the sink.
CCTV then showed Gossling and Moors to walk back to Boscombe where they caught a bus together.
The pair were arrested in Weymouth later that day.
The jury were told that Phillip was subjected to protracted bullying and threatening behaviour from both Gossling and Moors and they were shown evidence of this in text messages from the pair.
Senior Investigating Officer Detective Chief Inspector Stewart Balmer, of Dorset Police’s Major Crime Investigation Team, said: “Isabella Gossling and Richard Moors are truly evil.
“They targeted Phillip Nicholson because he was vulnerable and they could exert power over him. They subjected Phillip to a brutal and protracted attack.
“This is one of the most harrowing cases I have dealt with in 30 years’ service. The CCTV of Phillip following Gossling and Moors around Boscombe is chilling because as investigators we know he is going to come to harm. The fact they chose to audio record this violent and sick act on her mobile phone is beyond belief.
“No sentence is ever going to alleviate the pain these offenders have caused but I hope the convictions will go some small way to offering Phillip’s family some closure during this traumatic time.
“I would also like to put on record my appreciation of the investigation team led by Detective Sergeant Wayne Seymour. The professionalism they have shown in difficult circumstances is commendable.”
In a statement, Phillip’s family said: “We are totally devastated by the way that Phillip was cruelly tormented, tortured and murdered.
“Our son was kind, caring and helpful to all and did not deserve this callous death.
“Phillip’s death will always leave a huge dent in our hearts and those of family and friends that knew him.
“We would like to thank the Crown Prosecution Service and the Dorset Police Major Crime Investigation Team for their support and their undertaking of such a large detailed investigation to achieve the right conviction.”
