GUILTY UK - Patricia Holland, 83, Gorleston, Norfolk, found deceased, 24 July 2021 *ARREST*

[MsMiniSleuth]

A "charitable" woman was murdered and her body burnt by a homeless man she had taken in, after she asked him to leave the house, a court heard.

Allan Scott, 42, had been "offered... a roof over his head" by "kind hearted" Patricia Holland, 83, at her home in Gorleston-on-Sea, Norfolk.

She was last seen alive on 24 July 2021, and it is alleged Mr Scott killed her between then and 25 July.

He denies murder and is on trial at Norwich Crown Court.

Opening the prosecution case, David Spens KC, said Mrs Holland was a "charitable woman concerned with people who were down on their luck, and the homeless".

He said that Mr Scott was homeless and Mrs Holland "offered him a roof over his head" at her home in Lowestoft Road.

Patricia Holland had taken Mr Scott into her home in Lowestoft Road in Gorleston-on-Sea, near Great Yarmouth

The court heard she took him in and he was lodging there by March 2020, but before long he became aggressive towards her and eventually she wanted him to leave.

"Often he was the worse for drink," Mr Spens said.

"On occasions he became violent towards her and... he became controlling of her.

"By the time a year or so had passed, by May or June 2021, if not before, Mrs Holland wanted him out of her home."

He said the terms of her will meant that if she died, Mr Scott would be evicted, "so he thought his best chance of being able to stay in her house was if she went missing".

Mr Spens said: "The prosecution case is he violently attacked her on 24 July into 25 July 2021, and burned her body on a bonfire in her back garden in an attempt to destroy all traces of her.

"He did that, we say, so he could pretend she had gone missing, knowing full well that the little that remained of her after the fire he had set lay buried in her back garden..."

[...]

In court, the prosecution said it had not been possible to determine whether the victim was dead when she was put on the bonfire.

He said Mrs Holland used a walking frame and was "frail", but had no underlying health problems.

"Friends describe Mrs Holland as having a heart of gold and always happy; neighbours describe her as a lovely kind-hearted woman," he told the court.

The jury was told that while Mr Scott denies murder, he had pleaded guilty to the offence of unlawfully preventing a burial.

The trial, expected to last for three weeks, continues.

Gorleston murder trial hears Allan Scott killed and burnt Patricia Holland

The charred remains of Patricia Holland, 83, were found after she took in Allan Scott, a court hears.

www.bbc.co.uk

 

[MsMiniSleuth]

A homeless man taken in by an elderly woman killed her and burnt her body ona bonfire in her garden after she told him to leave the house, a court has heard.

Allan Scott, 42, lodged with 83-year-old Patricia Holland at her home in Gorleston in Norfolk, the trial was told.

David Spens KC, opening the prosecution case at Norwich Crown Court, said Mrs Holland was a "charitable woman concerned with people who were down on their luck and thehomeless".

He said that Scott was homeless and Mrs Holland "offered him a roof over his head".

[...]

At Norwich Crown Court, prosecutor Mr Spens said friends had described Mrs Holland as having "a heart of gold and always happy" while neighbours called her "a lovely kind-hearted woman".

He said that it was not possible to determine whether the great-grandmother was dead before she was put on the bonfire.

"When the police found her burnt and charred body there was so little of it left it wasn't possible to discover the cause of her death," said Mr Spens.

"Although it's likely she was already dead when he threw her on the bonfire, one would hope she was already dead, the available evidence doesn't show whether she was indeed dead when he did throw her."

He continued: "Either way the result is the same - the prosecution case isthat he murdered her."

https://www.itv.com/news/anglia/2023-02-21/homeless-man-killed-and-burned-body-of-great-grandmother-who-took-him-in

 

[JerseyGirl]

Gorleston murder trial hears Allan Scott killed and burnt Patricia Holland

The charred remains of Patricia Holland, 83, were found after she took in Allan Scott, a court hears.

www.bbc.com

 

[MsMiniSleuth]

An 83-year-old woman allegedly murdered by her lodger was last seen by her neighbour "upset" after he had thrown pots at her, a court has heard.

[...]

Giving evidence on Wednesday *(July 22), Ian Henderson, who lived across the road from Mrs Holland, said he had seen her with her walking frame trying to get into his gate at about 8.30pm on July 24.

He said she "seemed quite frantic".

Mr Henderson said: "She was quite upset.

"She said she had burnt the pasta and had things thrown at her."

The jury was told it was Scott who had thrown things at her.

Mr Henderson said Mrs Holland had told on an earlier occasion she had been "trying to get him (Scott) out".

He had told her "if you've got any problems come and see me".

Mr Henderson said he thought that is why Mrs Holland came to see him on the evening of July 2021.

The witness said he called police who came and saw her and spoke to her before taking her back to her property.

He said that was the last time he saw her.

[...]

Norfolk murder jury told victim was 'frantic' last time neighbour saw her

A Gorleston woman allegedly murdered by a man she had allowed to stay with her was last seen by her neighbour "upset" after he had thrown…

www.edp24.co.uk

* This must be a reporting error and should of course be February

 

[MsMiniSleuth]

An 83-year-old woman allegedly murdered by her lodger told police she wanted him "out" and was "going to get him out", a court has heard.

[...]

But Norwich Crown Court heard Scott became aggressive and violent towards her prior to her death, sometime between July 24 and July 25 2021.

[...]

On Monday (February 27) the jury heard evidence from officers who were called to Mrs Holland's home at about 9.30pm on July 24 2021 after claims Scott had thrown pasta and pots at her.

Footage captured on police body worn video showed Mrs Holland telling officers she wanted him out.



She said: "I was going to say 'you've got two weeks and you were going to be my witness".

She said he was "swearing" before he "chucked the pasta".

Mrs Holland was asked by an officer: "Do you want him out of the house?"

She replied: "Yes. I'm going to get him out."

Police entered the address to speak to Scott who was watching TV.

Scott, who appeared to be drunk, said he had a three-year agreement to stay at the property which was "pinned to the piano".

He told police: "I'm not moving out, there's no crime been committed."

Scott repeatedly tried to read the terms of the tenancy agreement to officers and demanded they "don't keep interrupting me".

He was given a "final warning" before leaving in his dressing gown, with the tenancy agreement.

[...]

Norwich jury hears murder victim had wanted lodger out

An 83-year-old woman allegedly murdered by her lodger told police she wanted him "out" and was "going to get him out", a court…

www.edp24.co.uk

 

[MsMiniSleuth]

The daughter of an 83-year-old woman allegedly murdered by her lodger found blood on the front door of her mum's house before she was reported missing, a court has heard.

Kathryn Holland had gone to visit her mum, Pat Holland at the Gorleston home she lived at with Allan Scott, a homeless man, who her mother let stay with her after she had taken pity on him.

[...]

Giving evidence on Tuesday (February 28) Mrs Holland's daughter Kathryn said she had last spoken to her mum on the phone on July 24 and had popped over to her home to drop off a paper and tins of fish for a seagull her mum had previously befriended on Sunday, July 25.

Before she went over, Kathryn said she had phoned her mum "a couple of times" but could not get through as the fax machine was connected to the landline.

She said as she got to the door she saw there was "a smear of blood on the bottom of the handle".

Kathryn, who had been talking to a friend on the phone at the time, said: "I just went quiet.

"I said 'there's blood on the door, I'm going to call the police'."

The witness told David Spens KC, prosecuting, that Scott answered the door but that she was "just very panicked".

Kathryn said she asked Scott: "Where's my mum Allan?"

She said Scott did not know where she was and that she had "gone out already".

Kathryn asked him why there was blood on the door but Scott said "it wasn't blood, it was tomato sauce".

[...]

The court heard Kathryn spent the afternoon trying to find her mum and later returned with the police to "check every room" and "every cupboard".

When officers found a piece of carpet with "ashes beneath it", Scott was asked by police if he had been "having a fire".

Scott, who called Mrs Holland Winnie, said: "Me and Winnie had been burning the piano."

[...]

Daughter of Norfolk murder victim panicked after finding blood on the door

The daughter of an 83-year-old woman allegedly murdered by her lodger found blood on the front door of her mum's house before she was reported…

www.edp24.co.uk

 

[MsMiniSleuth]

A jury has been told an 83-year-old woman allegedly murdered by her lodger would have sustained a blow 'into wet blood' while she was in the hallway of her home.

[...]

Norwich Crown Court heard Scott became aggressive and violent towards her before her death, sometime between July 24 and July 25 2021.

[...]

Jamie Burke, a forensic scientist, who analyses blood samples to determine whose blood and DNA has been found, gave evidence in the case on Wednesday (March 1).

He said that in his opinion the blood staining and patterning found at the property "indicated that at least one blow into Pat Holland's wet blood occurred in front of a chair in the hallway".

Mr Burke said Mrs Holland "must've already been injured and wet with blood" when that blow occurred.

He said blood pattering shows the blow must have been dealt at a "low level" as the chair had blood spattered onto the "underside of the seat".

Other conclusions from Mr Burke included that some of the blood found in the hallway appears to have been "cast off a moving object".

He said drips of blood were found to have moved from the "hallway to the kitchen".

Mr Burke said there was an area at the back door where there were "several drips of blood that had pooled" and could have been from a body.

[...]

Norfolk murder victim received blow 'in wet blood' in hallway

A jury has been told an 83-year-old woman allegedly murdered by her lodger would have sustained a blow 'into wet blood' while she was in the…

www.edp24.co.uk

 

[MsMiniSleuth]

A lodger repeatedly raked a makeshift bonfire in an attempt to sieve out charred bones of his landlady, a court has heard.

[...]

Norwich Crown Court has been told he burnt her body in a fire that included a piano from her home in an attempt to fake the 83-year-old’s disappearance so he could continue living in her house.

Giving evidence on Friday, Dr Gaille McKinnon, a world renowned forensic anthropologist and archaeologist, said forensic excavations of the “very high temperature” fire pit site had found 27 bone fragments.

The partial remains included tiny pieces of skull, pelvis, ribs, knee joint and leg and arm bones.

Dr McKinnon said the charred and calcified nature of the remains meant it was not possible to identify the victim’s age and sex.

Mrs Holland had eventually been identified from DNA analysis of a single bone fragment, she told the jury.

Asked whether the bones showed signs of trauma, Dr McKinnon said: “It was impossible to determine given the fragmented and calcified nature of the bones.”

Marks on the ground and a heavily trodden area of soil indicated there had been “a considerable degree of manipulation” of the bonfire as the remains were burnt, she said.

“The fire pit was raked through and turned over causing fragmentation and the scattering of human bone,” she added.

The court was told one of the fragments had been discovered in the garden of a next door neighbour.

[...]

Murder accused ‘repeatedly raked bonfire to sieve out victim’s bones’

Lodger Allan Scott, 42, is accused of burning the body of landlady Patricia Holland in an attempt to fake her disappearance so he could continue…

www.edp24.co.uk

 

[MsMiniSleuth]

A case involving a man accused of the murder of his landlady has been adjourned until next week due to the defendant's ill health.

[...]

On Monday (March 6) jurors in the case were told Scott was "not well" and the case was adjourned until Monday next week by Judge Alice Robinson.

[...]

Judge adjourns Norfolk murder trial until next week

A case involving a man accused of the murder of his landlady has been adjourned until next week due to the defendant's ill health.

www.greatyarmouthmercury.co.uk

 

[MsMiniSleuth]

A lodger accused of murdering his landlady whose body was "destroyed" in a fire told police he had been "burning the piano" when police searched the garden, a court heard.

[...]

Norwich Crown Court has been told he burnt her body in a fire in the back garden in an attempt to fake the 83-year-old’s disappearance so he could continue living in her house.

On Monday (March 13) the jury was shown body worn video (BWV) footage from officers who attended Mrs Holland's home after she was reported missing in July 2021.

In footage captured by police on a third visit to the property, after 6pm on July 25 2021, police found the area where it is alleged Scott had burnt Mrs Holland's body in a firepit in the garden.

Scott was asked by an officer "What have you been burning here?".

He replied: "We've been burning the piano".

Scott said they had done that as they had not wanted to pay "£300 for a professional to remove it".

[...]

Scott, who had appeared emotional at times during some of the police visits, was arrested on suspicion of murder after police attended at just after 9am on July 26 2021.

He did not appear in the dock on Monday.

Judge Robinson told the jury the defendant had agreed the "prosecution case can continue in his absence and the defence team consider its in his best interests not to be in court at the moment".

Jurors were told "no inference should be drawn against him for the fact he's not here".

Norfolk police told by murder accused he was burning piano

A lodger accused of murdering his landlady whose body was "destroyed" in a fire told police he had been "burning the piano" when…

www.edp24.co.uk

 

[MsMiniSleuth]

A lodger accused of murdering his landlady told police he had not attacked her or had any involvement in her death, a court has heard.

[...]

On Tuesday (March 14) the jury heard extracts of five interviews detectives had with Scott - between July 26 and July 31 2021 - after he was arrested on suspicion of murder.

During the first interview, on July 26 2021, Scott was asked about his movements and those of Mrs Holland but, as advised, answered "no comment".

He did however answer some questions.

Detectives asked him what he thought had happened to Mrs Holland.

Scott said: "I don't know what's happened to her".

He said he could understand Mrs Holland's daughter being "worried sick" and told detectives he had also been "thinking about it all day" and was "very worried".

He said: "I don't know where she is".

He was told neighours reported there being a bonfire in the early hours of the morning on July 26 2021 and asked if he had a bonfire "in the early hours of Sunday morning".

Scott said: "No comment".

[...]

He was asked: "Have you hurt her Allan?" but replied "no, I haven't."

Detectives asked if he was sure and Scott said: "Yes, I am".

In another interview later the same day he was asked: "What involvement did you have in her death Allan?"

He replied: "None at all."

Police told Scott that rings had been found in the garden of Mrs Holland's home, including in a water butt.

He was asked if he had disposed of rings in the water butt to conceal them but said he had not.

Detectives said "there's no evidence Pat left the house on Sunday" despite Scott suggesting she had gone to meet a friend in the morning.

Scott said: "That's bizarre."

[...]

Detectives said: "Tell us what you've done to Pat."

He said: "I've done nothing to Pat."

Scott was absent from the dock on Tuesday as he was on Monday with jurors being told the case is continuing in his absence with his defence team considering it to be in his "best interests not to be in court at the moment".

Norfolk man told police he was not involved in landlady's death

A lodger accused of murdering his landlady told police he had not attacked her or had any involvement in her death, a court has heard.

www.edp24.co.uk

 

[MsMiniSleuth]

A man accused of murdering his landlady admitted burning her body but insisted he had not caused her death adding it had been 'divine punishment' for the way he lived his life.

[...]

Giving evidence on Thursday (March 16) Scott admitted burning Mrs Holland's body on a bonfire but insisted he had not caused her death.

Scott told Karim Khalil KC, defending he was "in a certain amount of chaos" at the time.

When asked if she was "alive or dead" when he burned her body Scott said: "She was dead."

Mr Khalil asked if he had caused her death, but he insisted he had not.

[...]

Scott said he went to bed and had not seen or heard anything prior to finding Mrs Holland.

He said he was in a "cataclysm" after finding her "face down on the floor."

Scott thought she had "bitten her tongue or something" as she had blood down her and was unable to find a pulse nor could he hear her heart beating.

He said he was in "a panic" and having become "covered" in her blood was now "involved in it"

[...]

The trial is continuing with 11 jurors after one who has come down with Covid was discharged.

Norfolk murder accused was in 'chaos' at time he burned landlady

www.edp24.co.uk

 

[MsMiniSleuth]

[...]

On Tuesday (March 21) the jury heard evidence in the form of a joint report by three psychiatrists in relation to two psychiatric disorders, namely autism spectrum disorder (ASD) and schizotypal personality disorder.

Jurors heard the experts, who submitted a report based on a meeting on March 19 this year, said the issue of the diagnosis of Scott was "complex".

They did however agree that Scott had an "odd presentation".

[...]

Mr Khalil said the psychiatric evidence concluded the case for the defence.

Judge Alice Robinson started to give jurors some legal directions ahead of prosecution and defence giving closing speeches in the case.

Jury hear psychiatric evidence in Norwich murder trial

A jury was told a man accused of murdering his landlady by burning her body had been suffering an "overlap" of two psychiatric conditions…

www.edp24.co.uk

 

[MsMiniSleuth]

A jury has been told a man accused of murdering his landlady was a "calculating man" who burnt her body so he could "make her disappear" and carry on living in her home.

[...]

On Wednesday (March 22) the jury heard a closing speech from David Spens KC, prosecuting, who described it as a "shocking" case.

He asked the jury: "How could one human being do that to the body of another human being?"

Mr Spens said the motive for Scott killing Mrs Holland was "to keep a roof over his head" as the "tenancy agreement" was "worthless" and gave him no protection from eviction.

[...]

The trial continues with a jury of 10 after another juror, who was ill, was discharged.

Prosecution closing speech in Norfolk murder trial

A jury has been told a man accused of murdering his landlady was a "calculating man" who burnt her body so he could "make her…

www.edp24.co.uk

 

[MsMiniSleuth]

Jurors have been urged not to focus on the "undeniably awful facts" of the burning of a woman's body to drive them to the conclusion that a man was guilty of her murder.

[...]

Norwich Crown Court has been told he burnt her body in a fire in an attempt to fake the 83-year-old’s disappearance so he could continue living in her house.

On Thursday (March 23) defence barrister Karim Khalil KC told the jury not to focus on the "undeniably awful facts of the burning of Mrs Holland's body".

In his closing address, Mr Khalil said the prosecution had used "skill" and "distinction" in focusing on that factor but had tried to "deflect you from the fact that there isn't enough evidence beforehand".

Mr Khalil said murder was "all about intention" with the prosecution needing to prove there was "an intention to kill or cause really serious harm".

He said a "third way" could see Scott acquitted of murder but convicted of manslaughter which would not be letting Scott off as it too carries a "possible life sentence".

[...]

He said the correct verdict was not guilty of murder but whether it was not guilty of everything or guilty or manslaughter was up to the "better judgement" of the jury.

Jurors hear defence closing speech in Norfolk murder trial

Jurors have been urged not to focus on the "undeniably awful facts" of the burning of a woman's body to drive them to the conclusion that…

www.edp24.co.uk

 

[MsMiniSleuth]

Drifter Allan Scott, 42, was convicted of murder yesterday after a jury heard how he attacked a frail Patricia Holland, 83, on the night of July 24, 2021, before dumping her body on a bonfire in her back garden.

[...]

Mrs Holland's daughter gasped and covered her mouth as the verdict was read out on Thursday. Scott, who appeared in court via a videolink from Norwich Prison, made no reaction.

Judge Alice Robinson warned him an order would be issued compelling him to come to court when he is sentenced.

[...]

Senior Investigating Officer Chris Burgess said after the guilty verdict: 'This is a truly shocking crime where a vulnerable, well-liked elderly woman was murdered in her home by a man she had taken sympathy on and provided shelter to.

'It is clear that Patricia was murdered in her hallway, then Allan Scott has gone to extreme measures to attempt to hide the heinous crime he committed.

'The callous act of then burning her body on a fire in the back garden is inexcusable. I am grateful the jury have found Scott guilty of murder.'

Neighbour Catherine Cook, who called police in September 2020 when Mrs Holland fled her house in tears after Scott 'smashed up her kitchen' thinking she had stolen his methadone, yesterday said the pensioner had suffered an 'awful' ordeal.

She added: 'I'm really glad he's been found guilty and I hope they throw away the key.'

[...]

Scott was remanded in custody and will be sentenced on May 26.

Homeless man murdered widow, 83, who had taken him

Allan Scott. 42, murdered 'kind-hearted' Patricia Holland, 83, and threw her body on a bonfire at her home in Gorleston, Norfolk, to avoid being evicted, a court heard

www.dailymail.co.uk

 

[TootsieFootsie]

Homeless man in UK kills and burns elderly woman´s body after she ‘offered him a roof over his head’

A homeless man in the UK has been found guilty of murder after he killed a woman in her 80s who took him into her home A homeless man in the Uk has been

euroweeklynews.com

Officers were informed by her neighbours after Patricia turned up at their home in a distressed state at 9.21pm on Saturday 24 July.

Reports stated that “Scott had become abusive and argued with Patricia over some burned pasta”.

The police then attended and tried to convince Scott to leave, after Patricia asked them for it.

Officers spoke to Scott who was initially “uncooperative but eventually agreed to leave the address to prevent a breach of the peace”, a statement by the police.

Her area was then secured by the police who left at 10 pm, as Patricia was alone at her house.

But local CCTV footage later revealed that Scott walked back to the house, just “17 minutes after the officers left”.

“The following afternoon, on Sunday, July 25, Patricia’s daughter, Kathryn Holland called round to her mother’s address and was told by Scott that her mother had gone to church and would not be home until 530pm”, said the police statement.

It added, “Kathryn noticed what looked like blood on the door and called the police as she was concerned about her mother’s welfare”.

“Enquiries into Patricia’s whereabouts continued throughout the day, but she could not be located and the following day, Monday 26 July, Scott was arrested on suspicion of her murder”, the statement continued.

 

[HollyHunter9]

So sad to think she probably thought she'd managed to get him out, for the night at least and then just 17mins later goes back and murders her. Poor lady. RIP.

 

[HollyHunter9]

Norfolk police release footage of moment man arrested for murder

This is the moment killer Allan Scott was arrested on suspicion of the murder of his landlady Patricia Holland.

www.greatyarmouthmercury.co.uk

Police have released footage of the arrest, on Monday, July 26, 2021, following Scott's conviction for Mrs Holland's murder.

Officers have also shown CCTV of the killer walking around Gorleston on the previous Saturday evening, following an argument with his victim.

 

[MsMiniSleuth]

The 42-year-old man who befriended Patricia Holland and moved into her home in Gorleston before murdering her will serve a minimum of 35 years in prison – one of the longest minimum sentences ever to be issued in Norfolk.

Allan Scott, c/o HMP Norwich, was sentenced to life with a minimum of 35 years at Norwich Crown Court today (26 May 2023) with HHJ Robinson describing the case as truly shocking.

Scott was convicted of murder when a jury delivered a unanimous guilty verdict at Norwich Crown Court in March. He had previously pleaded guilty to preventing lawful burial.

Patricia’s daughter, Kathryn Holland, spoke of her heartbreak when she read out her victim personal statement in court, describing how her caring mother had seen Allan as a ‘friend’ whereas he had viewed her as a ‘meal ticket’ when she was vulnerable after losing her son, Paul.

She told the court in her statement: ‘It seemed to me that my beautiful gentle brother Paul dying had opened the gates of hell and Allan Scott walked right on through.”

Patricia, who was in her 80s, was murdered at her home in Lowestoft Road, Gorleston, overnight on Saturday 24 July 2021. Scott had lodged with Patricia since August 2020 when she met him while he was homeless and offered him shelter.

Police attended the address when neighbours called after Patricia had turned up at their home in a distressed state at 9.21pm on Saturday 24 July. Scott had become abusive and argued with Patricia over some burned pasta.

Patricia spoke to officers to say she wanted Scott to leave the address. Scott was uncooperative but eventually agreed to leave to prevent a breach of the peace. Police secured the address and left at around 10pm leaving when Patricia was safe and well. CCTV later revealed Scott walking back towards the address a short time after officers had left.

The following afternoon, on Sunday 25 July, Kathryn Holland went to her mother’s house where Scott said her mother had gone to church and would not be home until 5.30pm. She also noticed what looked like blood on the door and called the police as she was concerned about her mother’s welfare.

Police attended again later in the day when Patricia had not returned home, and a high-risk missing person investigation was instigated. When police could not locate Patricia by the following day on Monday 26 July Scott was arrested on suspicion of her murder.

The early investigation established a large bonfire had been set in the rear garden of Patricia’s house overnight on Sunday 25 July. Investigators called a forensic anthropologist and archaeologist to the scene and a large number of bone fragments were recovered from the fire which were identified to be human remains. Furthermore, a chain-linked bracelet and two rings, identified by Patricia’s family as likely to belong to her, had also been recovered from the debris.

During her statement, Kathryn described in court how Patricia’s home and garden had been their ‘family home’ containing memories of her father, brother and grandparents who were no longer here.

She added that the home ‘where my children would play endlessly in the once beautiful garden’ observing wildlife in the pond, would later be searched by officers for her mother’s remains.

A forensic biologist had also attended the home, finding blood spatter on a chair in the hallway. Blood was also found on a suitcase, cardboard box, and books. The pattern of blood suggested the items had been moved and the scene manipulated.

There were additional indications of blood in the hallway area and towards the garden and pond area. A green t-shirt with apparent blood staining was also found in the washing machine. Further blood was found outside the kitchen door and towards one of the garden sheds. Additionally, body-worn footage from officers documented sections of the carpet in the hallway and living room had been cut. The remnants were later recovered at the bonfire site.

Kathryn described how the memory of her mother’s burial, with two men carrying a ‘tiny’ box of her remains to be buried with her son, Paul, is ‘seared into her memory’ as she stood by the graveside with her own children.

Following the sentencing, Senior Investigating Officer Detective Chief Inspector Chris Burgess, said: “Allan Scott murdered Patricia at her home address then attempted to conceal his murderous actions by burning her on a fire in her back garden. For many days afterwards he denied any knowledge of Patricia’s whereabouts to her family and the police until the true horrific nature of his actions were uncovered. These are the actions of a calculated and manipulative killer. I welcome the significant sentence he has received today that reflects what a dangerous man he is.

“Our thoughts remain with Patricia’s family and friends who continue to grieve her loss. While today’s sentencing cannot bring Patricia back, I hope it offers a degree of comfort that the man responsible is behind bars where he can’t hurt anyone else.”

Man sentenced to serve 35 years in jail for the murder of Gorleston woman

The 42-year-old man who befriended Patricia Holland and moved into her home in Gorleston before murdering her will serve a minimum of 35 years in prison – one of the longest minimum sentences ever to be issued in Norfolk. Allan Scott, c/o HMP Norwich, was sentenced to life with a minimum of 35...

www.norfolk.police.uk