Monika Szmecht murder: Anthony Clarke shows no emotion as guilty verdict is passed

May 2 2008 by Chloe Griffiths, Liverpool Daily Post

A FORMER soldier showed no emotion as he was found guilty of the brutal killing of his ex-girlfriend.

A jury at Liverpool Crown Court took about four hours to unanimously convict Anthony Clarke of the murder of Polish waitress Monika Szmecht.

Surrounded by security guards, the suited businessman gave no reaction as the verdict was read out.

But as he was taken down, the 27-year-old father-of-three winked at the mother of two of his children, who broke down and was comforted by Clarke’s mother, Diane.

During the four-week trial, Clarke appeared arrogant and relaxed throughout, calmly giving his evidence and often joking with the security guards.

But despite painting a picture of a luxury lifestyle far removed from violence, his evidence was dismissed as lies by the jury.

Dishonourably discharged from the Army at the age of 20 after being convicted of handling stolen goods and receiving a four-month prison sentence, Clarke went on to run a couple of discount stores in Bootle and Wavertree, before starting a limousine company with his uncle, David Clarke.

The pair progressed to running a taxi firm, while Clarke also had an interest in his uncle’s business, Village Tyres, on Walton Village Road, as well as owning a couple of flats.

Despite admitting rarely going to work, he presented himself as living a lavish life-style – frequently going on exotic holidays to Thailand, Vietnam and India and handing out money to his many girlfriends.

Clarke admitted to being a cocaine-user and sleeping with many women at the same time, but insisted he did not become jealous if they had other boyfriends.

Wearing a dark suit and Nike trainers, he told the jury he had never been violent, saying “I’m not a threatening type of person, I never have been, I never will be”.

Following his evidence, a string of women took to the stand to support his case, while his sister, Shareen, told the jury it was she – rather than Clarke – who had assaulted Miss Szmecht days before her death.

But all these claims were rejected by the prosecution – and later the jury – who told of a “very jealous” man, who liked to control many women.

Andrew Menary, QC, prosecuting, told the jury Clarke had lashed out at Miss Szmecht days before her death after discovering texts from another man and threatened to burn down her house – forcing her to secretly move.

Following his arrest, the court was told Clarke, who grew his hair and lost about five stone in weight before the trial, threatened those who had been arrested alongside him – even threatening to have David Clarke’s wife, his own aunt, shot.

Heightened security was also present throughout his trial, with armed police guarding the court, over fears of his connections with Liverpool’s criminal underworld.

Murderer stabbed girlfriend before setting her alight >>>