Following a five-week trial at Winchester Crown Court, Matthew Reynolds, 32, of Pound Gate in Alton, was found not guilty of Bonnie’s murder but guilty of manslaughter.
The court heard that on Sunday, October 10, 2021, around 1.40pm, police were called to an address in Aldersey Fields, Alton.
Officers arrived and discovered the body of Bonnie Harwood, 47.
Bonnie had a number of stab wounds, one of which was fatal, according to a post-mortem examination.
Officers conducted extensive investigations, which led to Reynolds’ arrest on Tuesday, October 12, 2021.
This thorough and fast-paced investigation, led by officers from Hampshire Constabulary’s Major Crime team, revealed that Reynolds had been messaging Bonnie before going to her flat at around 3.50am on Sunday 10 October.
Reynolds returned to his home address at 4.19 a.m., and Bonnie’s phone did not reconnect to her phone network after that time.
Officers charged Reynolds with Bonnie’s murder on Friday, October 15, 2021.
Reynolds was also charged with robbery in connection with a separate incident that occurred at the Holybourne Post Office on October 7, 2021. Reynolds entered the store with an axe around 6.08 a.m. and made violent threats while demanding money from the lone female employee. Reynolds fled with the money he stole from the till.
Reynolds pleaded guilty to robbery at an earlier hearing at Winchester Crown Court, but denied the charge of murder, and the case went to trial.
A jury found him not guilty of murder but guilty of manslaughter after a five-week trial at Winchester Crown Court.
Reynolds was sentenced to life in prison with a minimum term of 14 years in jail at Winchester Crown Court today, Friday, 10 June.
“Bonnie’s life was cruelly taken through a cowardly, senseless, and violent act by someone she had invited into her home,” said Detective Inspector Dan Hunt.
We hope that today brings a sense of justice to those close to Bonnie and helps them cope with their heartbreaking loss.” Our thoughts are with all of them as they deal with the consequences of his actions.
We’d like to thank the Alton community for coming together not only to support the family, but also to help bring Bonnie’s case to justice.
