Lodger who murdered kind pensioner, 83, after she took him into home then burnt her body on bonfire in garden is jailed | The Sun

A LODGER who murdered a kind pensioner after she took him into her home before burning her body on a bonfire has been jailed.

Patricia Holland, 83, met Allan Scott, 42, while he was homeless and selling his paintings on the street.

The good Samaritan let him stay at her home in Gorleston in Norfolk believing he was just needed a chance.

But Scott repaid her kindness by murdering Patricia before burning her body on a bonfire in her back garden.

The monster has now been jailed for life with a minimum of 35 years.

Patricia’s daughter, Kathryn Holland, told Norwich Crown Court how her mum was left vulnerable following the death of her son, Paul.

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She added: "It seemed to me that my beautiful gentle brother Paul dying had opened the gates of hell and Allan Scott walked right on through."

Kathryn also told how the home where her children "would play endlessly in the once beautiful garden" had to be searched for her mum's remains.

And she revealed the memory of Patricia's "tiny remains" being carried into her burial is "seared into her memory".

Kathryn added: "She thought Allan Scott was her friend.

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"She couldn't see that all she was to him was, in his words, her meal ticket."

The court was told Scott had been lodging with Patricia since August 2020 but the friendship had soured due to his drunken and aggressive behaviour.

On July 24, 2021, police were called to the house after Scott became abusive over burned pasta.

Patricia told officers she wanted him out and he eventually agreed to leave to prevent being arrested.

Chilling CCTV footage then showed Scott returning just 30 minutes later, with a fire burning in the back garden in the early hours of the morning.

The flames burned until midday the following day as Scott kept it ablaze with wood, bits of fencing and piano keys.

Once satisfied, he went to the shop to buy gin and tonic using Patricia's card in a bid to make it look like she was still alive.

Kathryn later visited the house and noticed blood on the door so called police to raise the alarm.

When they arrived, bone fragments were recovered from the bonfire as well as a chain-linked bracelet and two rings believed to belong to the gran.

Forensic officers also found blood in the hallway and dotted around the home and a blood-stained green t-shirt in the washing machine.

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.”

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