Chef pleads guilty to murdering Christian teaching assistant

A pub chef pleaded guilty in court on Monday to murdering a devout Christian teaching assistant praised by her family for her love for God and other people.

Robert Cusworth repeatedly stabbed 34-year-old Sally Garwood in playing fields near her home on the outskirts of Aylesbury, Buckinghamshire, in July because he was “in a bad mood”.

The 25-year-old killed Mrs Garwood with a £2 knife he had bought from a Tesco supermarket the day before with the sole intention of hurting someone. He originally wanted to target a jogger but the area was too busy and instead attacked Mrs Garwood while she was out walking her dog. He then went home and called the police to tell them what he had done.

Crown Prosecution Service lawyer Carl Barker said: “The reason Robert Cusworth murdered Sally Garwood is impossible to comprehend.

“As he told the police, he was in a bad mood and he purchased a knife with the sole intention of hurting someone.

|QUOTE|“Sally Garwood was an innocent young woman who was simply walking her dog and had done nothing to provoke or invite the attack.

“This was a chilling and utterly senseless murder which has taken the life of a young woman and devastated the lives of her family.”

In a statement released after her death, Mrs Garwood’s family praised her love for God and other people.

“She had so much love in her heart for her family and friends and always saw the good in other people.

“She had a huge heart for young people and helping other individuals who would benefit from her sensitive wise soul.

“Sally was a Christian and had such a deep love for God. Everything about Sally was caring and special and she was completely devoted to her family and friends.

“She was a fun-loving, caring, wonderful and supportive wife, daughter, sister, aunt and friend.

“Her loss is felt very deeply and has left us speechless. We can only describe our current state as total devastation.”

Mrs Garwood worked with children at the Autism Resource Base at Lord Williams’s School in Thame, Oxfordshire. She had been planning to start a family with her husband, Simon.

“One of the hardest things to come to terms with is learning to live without seeing Sally smile – she was such a kind amazingly happy person who even smiled in her sleep,” said Mr Garwood, also a devout Christian.

“I cannot believe I am spending the rest of my life without her.”

Sentencing was adjourned at Reading Crown Court until January.