TV Actor 'ordered hit on accused' - South Wales Argus

CWMBRAN MURDER TRIAL: TV Actor 'ordered hit on accused'

4:48pm Monday 25th June 2012 in Gwent news

A TV ACTOR killed in his own home had paid hitmen to try and kill a love rival, his ex-girlfriend has told a court.

Gary Suller, 45, who worked as a supporting artist in a number of TV dramas and feature films, was found dead in Harold Street, Pontnewydd, Cwmbran, in September last year after being tied up and beaten.

Barry Bowyer, 38, of Llanon Houses, Croesyceiliog, has admitted burglary and manslaughter but denies murder.

Cardiff Crown Court heard the pair were both in love with a former prostitute called Katy Gilmore - who today admitted playing the two men off against one another.

Previously, Mr Suller had been described as a caring man who was trying to get the 27-year-old off drugs.

But today, Ms Gilmore told a different version of events to the jury.

As well as saying her saviour had been in fact been the defendant, whom she would love until her "dying breath??, she said father-of-two Mr Suller was a secret pimp who was plying her with drugs.

She said: "I blame myself for Gary's death.

"Yes, I played them off against one another.

"I was using Gary for money - but at no point did I use Barry.

"He got me off heroin and prescription drugs.

"He's the love of my life and will love him until the day I die.

"With Gary, my drug addiction escalated and increased. He had an unlimited supply of money.

"He knew for a long time that I had been unfaithful to him.

"Gary was jealous and would do anything to stop me seeing Barry.

"I was told he was going to pay three men to murder Barry. Barry was in the bath when they kicked the flat door down and attacked him.

"He lost so much blood and should've died.?? Mr Suller, whose roles included small parts in Doctor Who and Casualty, met Ms Gilmore in a brothel in 2010.

Recalling the time they met, Ms Gilmore said: "He was infatuated with me and bombarded me with flowers, wrote lover letters and promised to look after me financially.?? Her new boyfriend raised eyebrows among family members, saying Mr Suller "didn't fit the profile of her previous boyfriends??.

Her exes, she told Cardiff Crown Court, included a man named "Denny?? who had locked her in a house for three days and beaten her.

The jury also heard details about Ms Gilmore's background.

She took Valium at the age of seven, smoked cannabis at nine and began using heroin aged 11.

But the few relatives that had not disowned her, began to hope Ms Gilmore would turn her life around, after getting together with Mr Suller.

However, Ms Gilmore said Mr Suller had encouraged her to take drugs and one occasion following her release from prison had driven her to a dealer's house.

She also claimed Mr Suller was a pimp, saying a piece of paper that police found in his home with girls' names on it was a list of prostitutes he "picked up?? for jobs.

The jury also heard details about how Ms Gilmore and Bowyer had met during a drug rehabilitation programme in September 2010.

"He got me clean and he loved me - I mean I think he did,?? Ms Gilmore said, as Bowyer nodded.

However, the defendant's head later "became screwed up?? as Ms Gilmore flitted between Bowyer and Mr Suller.

Four days before Mr Suller died, Bowyer wrote a letter to Ms Gilmore speaking about how he had felt manipulated.

"If you loved me you would have the decency to tell me the truth,?? he said.

"I'm your bitch and I have got to take it or simply lose you.

"You know this very well and play it to your advantage.

"When I first met you... (I realised) you were a dangerous lady who would bring me life or death.?? But despite his confusion and anger, Bowyer later went on to say he would rather be Miss Gilmore's "bitch?? for life rather than be without her - and also referred to Mr Suller as a "stalker??.

The court also heard details about a Facebook message Bowyer had sent to Mr Suller which repeatedly urging him to "stay away??.

Following the cross-examination from defending barrister David Aubrey, Ms Gilmore faced further questions from prosecutor Peter Davies.

Mr Davies asked why - if she had loved Bowyer so much - she had not told him when she had found out about Mr Suller hiring three men to kill him while he was in hospital.

Ms Gilmore said she did not want to "upset?? Bowyer.

The prosecution also told the jury about Bowyer's previous convictions - which included a nine-year jail term for a violent robbery in 1996 and a five-year prison sentence for a similar offence in 2004.

Mr Davies also gave details of a police report filed by Mr Suller - who believed his house had been burgled by Ms Gilmore and Bowyer.

Among the items missing, included a collection of DVDs valued at ?1,500 - which included a copy of Mr Nice, a film about drugs mule Howard Marks that Mr Suller had starred in.

"The box was open and the disc was missing,?? he said in his report.

"As I was in the film, someone who knew me would've done this to send me a message.?? The case continues.

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