Michael Thompson: Murder accused seen driving around Northampton in white Audi TT 'tapping his hand and swaying his head' hours after wife’s death, court hears

Michael Thompson, 55, of Pinewood Road, has denied the rape and murder of 43-year-old Kimberley Thompson, who was found dead at a property in Pinewood Road on August 9, 2025.

Thompson appeared at Northampton Crown Court on December 16, 2025, where he also pleaded not guilty to two counts of doing an act with intent to pervert the course of public justice.

The trial, which is being held at Nottingham Crown Court, is expected to last around six weeks. Jurors were sworn in on May 21 before the prosecution opened its case on May 26.

Giving evidence at Nottingham Crown Court, the witness said she was driving home at around 5.30pm on August 9, 2025, after visiting a nail salon on Wellingborough Road in Northampton.

Kimberley Thompson had been found dead at the Pinewood Road property earlier that day.

The witness told jurors she was driving along Wellingborough Road towards the Abington Park traffic lights when she noticed Thompson's white Audi TT convertible.

She said she recognised the vehicle because its registration plate spelled out ‘boxer’, a sport with which Thompson was involved.

Asked who was driving the vehicle, she replied: "It was Michael Thompson."

The court heard the witness avoided pulling up directly alongside the car because she "didn't like him".

Describing what she saw, the witness said: "The window was open and his elbow was slightly outside the window and his head was just moving from side to side and hand tapping as well."

The witness told jurors the Audi then continued straight on, which is in the direction of Pinewood Road.

The trial continues.

Take a look at the Chronicle & Echo’s ongoing coverage of this trial here… Michael Thompson: Jury sworn in as 55-year-old Northampton man stands trial for alleged rape and murder of former partner Michael Thompson: 55-year-old ‘tracked’, ‘abused’ and ‘brutalised’ ex-partner for decade before alleged rape and murder Michael Thompson: 55-year-old murder accused treated like ‘bereaved spouse’ after ‘fooling’ police with ‘fakery’ Michael Thompson: Court hears defendant hysterically crying and being sick while making 999 call Michael Thompson: Sister of alleged murder victim recalls defendant telling her to ‘have a good day’ before finding out Michael Thompson: Alleged murder victim’s school friend says Kim went from ‘full of life’ to ‘skinny and frail’ Michael Thompson: Court heard final messages between alleged murder victim and new partner ended ‘miss you’ Michael Thompson: 18-year-old bereaved daughter describes mother as ‘best friend’ and ‘my person’ Michael Thompson: Friend tells jury of Kim’s injuries to arm, eyes, nose, jaw and ankle Michael Thompson: ‘He said it was his right to have sex with her because he’d put up with her for so many years’ Michael Thompson: First paramedic to arrive at alleged murder scene saw no signs CPR had been carried out Michael Thompson: Friend says alleged murder victim was ‘happiest’ she has ever seen her with new partner Michael Thompson: Green-yellow liquid with layer of sediment in alleged murder victim’s bedroom was not analysed Michael Thompson: Forensic pathologist gives opinion on cause of death but recognises limitations in this case Michael Thompson: 'Kim was petrified to leave him. She said he'd kill her before she could,' friend tells jury