Fiveways murder trial: David Browning posted "stand up to bullies -then kill them"

Within hours of stabbing his boss to death a university worker posted a picture that said “stand up to bullies -then kill them”.

Mobile phone data showed David Browning was still in the area of Jillian Howell’s Fiveways home when he posted the picture on his Facebook page.

Browning had stabbed Ms Howell 15 times between 11pm and midnight then scrawled the word bully on her forehead, the jury at Hove Crown Court was told.

Officer in the case Detective Constable Michael George told the court that mobile phone data analysed from Browning’s phone showed the post and his location.

He said: “At approximately 4.30 a temporary profile picture was uploaded to Mr Browning’s Facebook account with this image that said ‘stand up to bullies – then kill them’.

Browning admits manslaughter by diminished responsibility but denies murder.

The trial continues.

Update 11:30am

AN “obsessed” worker sent a stream of increasingly affectionate messages to his boss before killing her.

David Browning told his manager Jillian Howell in the University of Brighton’s payroll department he “adored her”, as she tried to counsel him through depression and the loss of his father.

But Browning, 51, of Willow Drive, Seaford,  stabbed Ms Howell after she invited him for a curry at her home in the Fiveways area of Brighton on October 26.

A jury at Hove Crown Court has this morning heard how Ms Howell sought help for Browning from the university’s occupational health department in September – but just days later Browning bought a second hand 12 gauge shotgun and the lock knife he used to stab her 15 times.

Text messages between the pair were read to the court.

On June 8, after the pair went for a social drink at the Signalman pub in in Ditchling Rise he sent her a message to say “I adore you personally and professionally.”

In another  message he said: ”what a wonderful lady you are. “

On August 4, Browning said: “I’m glad we can trust each other.. You are more than just my boss and I think you know that. “

Browning denies murder.

The trial continues.