Crime & Safety
Abingdon murder house available to rent year after killing
Rachael Vaughan was killed by her boyfriend Robert Richens at her home in Sherwood Avenue, Abingdon on May 30 last year.
The 40-year-old, described by Judge Ian Pringle KC as a “highly vulnerable” woman, was repeatedly attacked by Richens on the night of her death.
Richens, who was 35 at the time and from Oxford, made efforts to clean up the body of his victim and her flat in the aftermath.
And now, with a refurb in the kitchen and shower room, the one-bedroom flat is available to rent.
Marketed by Finders Keepers in Abingdon, the flat is available for £1,300 per calendar month, at the higher end of the average rental price for one bedroom in the Abingdon area.
It comes with a “delightful” and large double bedroom, a living room, private garden with on-street parking, a refurbished shower room and a newly fitted kitchen with integrated appliances.
However, no Playstation will be included as the flat is unfurnished.
Richens, in a video that went viral, admitted his crime when he was arrested but was heard telling police officers: “I’m going to miss GTA 6.”
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In England there is no specific “murder disclosure” statute, but agents and landlords must disclose any material information about a property.
And recent murders or violent deaths can fall into that category so they may have a legal duty to tell you, especially if you ask directly.
Jailing the murderer for life with a minimum of 16 years and one month, Judge Ian Pringle KC said: “You subjected Rachael to a brutal attack in her own home.
“You punched, kicked and stamped on her repeatedly. You were responsible for several major rib fractures and a traumatic brain injury.
“The pain and suffering she must have endured is an aggravating factor in this case.”
After carrying out the violent act, Richens spent five hours in Ms Vaughan’s home, cleaning up her body, changing her clothes and cleaning the space.
At one point, the court heard, Richens told an officer “I could have dismantled it”, words which prosecuting counsel Neil Moore said were “particularly chilling, knowing what the defendant did for five hours with the body of Rachael Vaughan.”
The murderer then called the police and turned himself in and in the call, played to the court and later released by the force, Richens said: “I thought I’d tell you something quite serious. What I’m about to tell you, I’ve done something quite serious.
“You’re not going to believe it, I think I accidentally killed someone. She’s just not moving. I’m being honest because I’m ashamed of what I’ve done, I thought I’d hand myself in.
Tax officials are consulting on proposals to dramatically expand the Government’s “Uncertain Tax Treatment” regime – forcing wealthy individuals and trusts to flag tax arrangements worth £5million or more that HMRC may disagree with.
The move would significantly widen powers first introduced in 2022 for large corporations and could pull inheritance tax, capital gains tax, stamp duty and National Insurance into the spotlight.
Under the plans, individuals and trusts benefiting from certain tax interpretations would effectively have to report themselves to HMRC, allowing the tax authority to investigate whether the rules had been applied correctly.
The regime was originally designed for giant businesses with turnover above £200million and balance sheets exceeding £2billion as part of efforts to shrink Britain’s massive tax gap.
Government figures show the tax gap reached a staggering £46.8billion in 2023-24 – the difference between what HMRC believes should be paid and what is actually collected.
But critics point out that only around 10 per cent of the gap is linked to individual taxpayers, while small businesses account for the majority.
Now some wealth advisers fear ministers are increasingly targeting affluent Britons as pressure mounts to raise more tax revenue.
Marc Acheson, Global Wealth Specialist at Utmost, warned the latest proposals could have “unintended consequences” for the UK economy.
He said: “This consultation is the latest in a series of policy initiatives aimed at targeting wealthy individuals to plug fiscal gaps and raise tax revenue.”
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Critics also argue the new rules could create uncertainty for families and trusts trying to manage inheritance and investment planning legally, but others say that taxing the wealthy is fairer than squeezing lower and middle earners in a cost of living crisis.
HMRC says the proposals are aimed at improving transparency and reducing disputes caused by differing interpretations of tax law.
For many wealthy taxpayers, the changes may fuel concerns that Britain’s tax net is stretching wider.
Abby Lee Miller is a dance instructor, choreographer and television personality best known for fronting the hit reality series Dance Moms on Lifetime from 2011 to 2019.
She founded the Abby Lee Dance Company in Pittsburgh in the 1980s, training young competitive dancers who later featured on the show.
Dance Moms followed her strict, often controversial coaching style and spawned several spin‑offs, including Abby’s Ultimate Dance Competition and Abby’s Studio Rescue.
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Away from the programme, she has appeared on talk shows, run workshops and continues to work as a high‑profile figure in the world of competitive dance.
Ms Lee Miller has now taken the trip over to Oxford to speak to university students and look around the historic city.
Taking to her official Instagram, the 60-year-old posted a video this week showing her at Oxford Union as well as moving through Oxford University buildings.
In the caption, Ms Lee Miller wrote: “What an incredible honour!
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“I was invited to speak at the Oxford Union at the University of Oxford, and I’m still pinching myself.
“I met so many talented, intelligent, and inspiring individuals, shared stories from my journey, and had the opportunity to connect with future leaders from around the world.
“To stand in such a historic room and share my voice was truly unforgettable… and now I can forever say I have spoken at Oxford!”
Lucy Bowden said her mother, Jeanne Chattoe, showed “extraordinary strength and courage throughout her life” which included helping to raise over £300,000 for a local cancer charity.
Ms Chattoe was the founder of Witney in Pink Day, which has been held annually over the past 25 years and raises money for Abingdon-based charity Against Breast Cancer.
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It sees the town turned pink with biodegradable pink balloons, a pink car parade and pink-themed shop windows, and has raised more than £300,000 across the past two and half decades.
Ms Bowden said: “She fought cancer with incredible bravery, surviving breast cancer and kidney cancer on four previous occasions.
“This fifth time, the cancer had spread to her bones, but she faced every challenge with dignity, resilience and determination.
“She was deeply loved by so many people and will be remembered for her warmth, kindness, strength and the love she gave to her family and friends.
“Her loss leaves an enormous hole in the hearts of all who knew her. She passed peacefully at home, surrounded by love, with her family by her side.”
Mrs Chattoe’s fundraising efforts began after her younger sister, Delia Winkler, was diagnosed with breast cancer in 1982 aged 30.
Unfortunately, the cancer returned seven years later, and she sadly passed away aged 41.
Mrs Chattoe described feeling ‘helpless’ and turned to supporting research as a way to make a difference.
In 2023 she was named in the King’s Birthday Honours and presented with the British Empire Medal for her fundraising achievements.
Others have also expressed their sadness at the death of Ms Chattoe.
Family friend, Denise Barkley first met the campaigner 30 years ago when she interviewed Ms Chattoe for an article in the Oxford Mail.
She said: “We immediately hit it off and I shared her vision as my Mum died from breast cancer too.
“Jeanne was so inspiring and committed, and she persuaded me to join the charity’s Witney fundraising team.”
Ms Chattoe ran vintage fashion shop, Renaissance, in Witney and met much of the town through her work.
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Ms Barkley added: “We, her fundraising team-mates, will miss her beyond words but are determined to take Witney in Pink Day forwards in her memory.”
Others to express their sadness include local councillor Andrew Coles who was at Blenheim Palace when Ms Chattoe was presented with her British Empire Medal.
“She really was a Witney legend,” he added.
Councillor Ruth Smith, the leader of Witney Town Council, said: “Such a loss. She started something amazing in the town that will live on.”
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