Philip Polkinghorne trial: Madison Ashton messaged eye surgeon after Pauline Hanna’s death
Monday, 26 August 2024
Warning: The details of this case may be distressing for some readers.
Twenty-one days after Pauline Hanna’s death and days before Philip Polkinghorne was to be reunited with Sydney-based escort Madison Ashton, the pair exchanged messages about the future.
“I haven’t come this far to walk away,” Polkinghorne told her in a text message after a strained conversation about their relationship.
Hanna was found dead in the entranceway of the couple’s Remuera home on April 5, 2021. Polkinghorne, now 71, has denied killing her, saying she died by suicide.
On Monday, the focus returned to the couple’s communication devices, but the spotlight was mostly on messages between Polkinghorne and Ashton.
The Crown’s case is that Polkinghorne fatally strangled Hanna before reporting her death to police as a suicide. It argues he was living a double life, obsessed with meth and in a covert relationship with Ashton.
Polkinghorne’s defence is that Hanna was exhausted by work-related stress, had a history of mental health issues, was on medication, and tragically took her own life. Ahead of the trial, he pleaded guilty to methamphetamine related charges.
Detective Andrew Reeves was tasked with examining the contents of Polkinghorne, Hanna and Ashton’s cell phones. The court has previously heard how Ashton and Polkinghorne were found by police at a luxury lodge at Mt Cook Lakeside Retreat on April 30, 2021. Police seized Ashton’s two phones.
‘I haven’t come this far to walk away’
Days before Ashton arrived in New Zealand, she and Polkinghorne discussed the upcoming trip and what she should pack.
After asking Ashton if there was anything else she wanted to do in New Zealand, Polkinghorne said: “It’s going to be all about US, get used to it, scary though I hope we don’t f… it up xx”.
Ashton said an argument would be likely given the pair hadn’t seen each other for many months.
“And that 14 months in any relationship is a long time to go without being at each others side. We have been bosses of our own domains. So it could be possible for some adjustment, or could be just all in my heard and imaginary. But I thought may as well leave some room tonight put so much pressure,” Ashton said.
Polkinghorne replied: “I am not good at arguing so lets not. I agree its been a long time we have been together and will be some transition. We both will have changed so I think we should just see how it goes with no big ambition. If we gel great, but if it is too hard well that's life. I am really dying to see you all the same and just talk.
“I am not going to change your life or attempt too and whilst I have plans for the future I am sure you do too, there maybe commonality or maybe not. I have missed having dinner with you and talking as much but that's all i want to say.”
Ashton said that Polkinghorne’s message sounded like he was breaking up with her.
“Christ never, I am not trying to push you in any direction. I haven’t come this far to walk away,” Polkinghorne replied.
Sydney escort ‘persistently’ messaged Polkinghorne, but only person outside family who supported him, defence suggests
Under cross-examination, the detective was asked about Ashton’s services, including how it appeared she would send other clients similar images like she did to Polkinghorne.
It also appeared from Ashton’s first booking with Polkinghorne, Hanna’s name was attached.
After Hanna’s death, the sex worker sent 24 messages to Polkinghorne before he replied on April 7 at 9.08pm.
Mansfield described Ashton's messaging as 'quite persistent' and by the time of Hanna's death she'd known him and Hanna since 2015.
'Wouldn’t surprise you she was one of the few that were giving support from what you could see?'
Reeves said Ashton and certain family members were very supportive at the time of Hanna's death.
After media reported Polkinghorne was being treated as a “person of suspect”, Mansfield suggested support from friends and colleagues “basically dried up”.
'I recall numerous messages with a family member, Tracey, in the UK,' the detective said. Tracey is Hanna’s sister.
Mansfield suggested funeral arrangements could not be organised by Polkinghorne directly because of the ongoing police investigation. And Hanna’s brother Bruce Hanna
There were even messages with fashion designer Trelise Cooper as the family were left to purchase a new dress for Hanna as the Remuera home was out of bounds due to the police investigation.
'The scene was locked down so they had to purchase new clothing,' Reeves said.
Polkinghorne wiped his eyes at some points during this exchange.
'He became isolated and the only person who provided support outside of his family and communicating regularly with him was Ms Ashton?' Mansfield asked, which Reeves said was correct.
Discussions about lawyers and property
Earlier on Monday, Detective Reeves told prosecutor Brian Dickey there were numerous email accounts both under Ashton’s name and her alias Christine McQueen.
Polkinghorne was saved in her phone contacts with his Remuera address in the notes and “$5000 payment for Christine” from March 2015.
In regards to WhatsApp messages between the pair, Reeves said the messaging was extensive but it was scrambled before April 5, 2021.
But, Reeves said there were text messages between the pair.
On April 17, Ashton sent a message to Polkinghorne: “Hi, i checked with my lawyer, you can put in an application on to the Supreme Court for your passport on Monday.”
“Got it will do. I have a meeting in morning w the QC… jobs are on the line,” Polkinghorne replied.
In another message on April 19, Ashton tells him about her plastic surgery.
“To augment that pretty special butt will create an new sensation. For you it will be as exciting as your first breast augmentation. For your business it will I bet drive a tsunami of lust and will monetize your body further but with you more in control. Last for me it will enable me to see a very happy woman and to be frank that is what I care about, ok secondarily I do get to f… you endlessly,” Polkinghorne replied.
The following day, Ashton told Polkinghorne that she needed to call and have a chat as he was not “street smart”.
“Had a chat w my lawyer yesterday you missed an opportunity to just completely bulldozed the whole narrative and actually get them in trouble for who they really are, while simultaneously getting yourself out of this s…,” Ashton said.
On April 22, Ashton said “it was very brave of you to change lawyers”.
“Z’s relieved that you made the change to the right expertise well done she says.”
Polkinghorne replied with an attachment of the former Blackstone Chambers webpage with Julie-Anne Kincade KC’s profile.
“The plan is really to move to JAK ASAP but covertly. Her CV doesn’t look bad what do you think,” Polkinghorne asked Ashton.
The next day, Ashton asked if he’d started “you PR offensive”.
On April 25, Ashton sent Polkinghorne a link from a real estate website to a property in Millers Point, Syndey.
Messages after an apparent argument
Detective Reeves also took the jury through screenshots of WhatsApp messages between Polkinghorne and Ashton. The screenshots were found on Polkinghorne’s phone and appeared to be after the pair had an argument about a trip Ashton was going to take.
At one point during the exchange, Ashton blocked Polkinghorne.
“I don’t wanna spend two weeks with someone who can’t even make a basic inquiry with me and not carry on like a f…ing immature brat instead of just asking me a simple questions…”
He replied: “I will ring you when I have some time to talk that will be when I have finished operating in 90 mins….I have something very important to say.”
She said she had read the text messages and was “unbelievably disappointed”.
“And it beaks my heart that this isn’t the first time - I will never ever bite my tongue won’t be the last time.”
Ashton said she’d not seen Polkinghorne in 10 months.
“And that I would work over our Christmas, it’s just a disgusting suggestion from you, I’m shocked that this would actually come from you. And you wording and the vibe, as though I am a Neanderthal.
“I’ll put it very bluntly but this is very simple, exactly I’ve experienced is that you have a gutter mentality sometimes when it comes to me and my occupation in how you communicate and some of your concepts that are in your mind. I accept that this is something that is not ideal about you, but you are not perfect but you are very lovable. Kind and patient, sex and many other attributes…”
Pauline Hanna’s phone
Earlier on Monday, Reeves took prosecutor Brian Dickey through his examination Hanna’s phone. He said he found no internet searches for suicide or related searches.
But there was a text message to the mental health crisis team in 2019.
There were three internet searches on Christmas Eve 2020 - “P pipe, what does p look like and what sensation does p give you”.
Reeves said after those searches he found two photos taken on Hanna’s phone on Christmas Day. The photos showed a shopping bag with what appeared to be two used glass pipes. The detective explained the pipes were commonly used to smoke methamphetamine.
On December 28 and 29, 2020 there were searches for asphyxia and anorgasnia.
Reeves said he couldn’t find anything that matches up with the searches on the phone.
On January, 2021, Hanna searched for matrionial property and trusts NZ and then for apartments for sale in Napier.
Knot tying images were fishing knots from 2012
On Monday afternoon, Detective Reeves was taken back to his evidence on Friday about images of knots he’d found on one of Polkinghorne’s hard drives.
Under cross-examination, Mansfield produced the images of the knots and asked Reeves what year and date they were found.
Reeves said they were from January 2012.
The detective said the images of soft bait fishing knots from a website.
The lawyer asked why the detective didn't tell the jury this in his evidence on Friday.
'I didn’t knowingly not say they were in 2012, it actually would have been beneficial to do that. I was reviewing the devices - looking for general terms,' Reeves said.
The trial, before Justice Graham Lang and a jury, continues.