A stepfather described by prosecutors as “sexually obsessed” has declined to testify in his defence at the trial over the alleged murder of 19-year-old student Carla Georgescu.
Nathan Owens, 34, is accused of strangling Carla in February after making an overnight journey of more than 100 miles to her student accommodation in Preston, Lancashire.
The prosecution alleges that Owens was motivated by “sexual jealousy” after discovering that Carla, a second-year clinical psychology student, intended to meet a man she had encountered through an online romantic relationship.
Jurors have also heard claims that his alleged fixation intensified to the point where he had sex with a life-sized “effigy” of his teenage stepdaughter, dressing it in her nightclothes.
After prosecutors concluded their case at Preston Crown Court on the 10th day of proceedings, Owens’ barrister, John Elvidge KC, confirmed that his client would not enter the witness box.
The trial judge, Mr Justice Jacobs, asked whether Owens had been advised that jurors could draw any inferences they considered appropriate from his decision not to give evidence.
“Yes, My Lord,” Mr Elvidge replied.
Wearing an unzipped pale grey top over a darker T-shirt, Owens listened from the glass-fronted dock with his hands clasped together.
Nathan Owens, 34, was arrested on suspicion of murdering his stepdaughter Carla Georgescu, as shown in police bodycam footage played during his murder trial at Preston Crown Court
Carla Georgescu, a 19-year-old clinical psychology student at the University of Lancashire, was allegedly strangled and killed by her stepfather Nathan Owens
On February 1, Janina and Owens joined Carla for a birthday dinner in Preston. At one point, Carla was left alone with her stepfather, with both appearing focused on their phones
With the defence calling no evidence, proceedings were adjourned until tomorrow, when jurors are expected to hear the closing arguments.
CCTV footage shown to the court appeared to show Carla, dressed in pyjamas and a fluffy dressing gown, admitting Owens to Ribble Hall, her University of Lancashire accommodation, at about 4am on February 4. His head was concealed beneath a patterned blanket.
Around 90 minutes later, he was recorded leaving while apparently using an umbrella as cover and wearing a face mask. He was also wearing Carla’s trainers and carrying two bags.
Owens then allegedly drove back to his home in Hartlepool, stopping during the journey to discard belongings. Bedding later recovered was found to contain traces of Carla’s DNA, the court heard.
His Romanian wife, Janina, told jurors that Owens never said he had visited Carla during the night when she woke the following morning.
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Concern grew when Carla failed to answer messages and calls. The next day, which would have been her 20th birthday, Janina contacted university security.
Staff carried out a welfare check and found Carla’s body slumped against a wardrobe door, with a belt around her neck.
When police later attended the couple’s home on February 5, officers reportedly told them: “It looks like she has hung herself.”
CCTV captured Carla Georgescu, wearing a fluffy dressing gown, allowing her stepfather Nathan Owens, 34, into her university accommodation in Preston at around 4am on February 4, 2026, with his face hidden beneath a blanket
Owens captured leaving the building around an hour-and-a-half later, ‘shielding’ himself from cameras with an umbrella and face-mask, while wearing Carla’s trainers and carrying two bags
Hours later, Owens was allegedly carrying out web searches about how police investigate suspicious deaths and wiping his electronic devices.
Footage played in court last week shows the moment officers from Lancashire arrive at his house to arrest him on suspicion of murder on February 7.
Owens looks impassive and nods as he is cautioned before being handcuffed.
Before his arrest, Owens told Ms Georgescu he went to Preston that night because Carla had wanted him to take incontinence pants to her and help her tidy her room.
But the prosecution say this was an attempt to ‘cover his tracks’ and ‘keep his wife onside’ and that the truth is that he brutally attacked Carla before fleeing the scene, dumping evidence and attempting to cover his tracks.
The prosecution allege he had become ‘sexually fixated’ with Carla and her death was the culmination of weeks, months and perhaps years of a ‘one-sided sexual obsession’.
He is also said to have taken photos of Carla without her knowledge, filmed himself having sex with her dolls and toys, and manipulated an innocent image of her so it appeared sexual.
Owens denies charges of murder and grievous bodily harm with intent.
A count of intentional strangulation was today withdrawn, with the judge telling jurors it ‘substantially duplicates’ the count of murder.
The trial continues.
