A homeless man has been convicted of murdering an 83-year-old woman who had offered him shelter in her home. Allan Scott, 42, killed Patricia Holland in Gorleston-on-Sea, Norfolk, in July 2021 after she asked him to leave.
Scott, who had been lodging with Mrs Holland since August 2020, burned her body on a bonfire in the back garden. He was found guilty of murder at Norwich Crown Court and had previously admitted preventing a lawful burial. He is due to be sentenced on 26 May.
The court heard that Scott met Mrs Holland while he was homeless and selling his paintings outside a shop in Gorleston. On 24 July, Mrs Holland called police after Scott became abusive, and officers arranged for him to leave. However, CCTV showed he returned 17 minutes later.
The following day, Mrs Holland's daughter noticed blood on the door, prompting a missing person investigation. Scott was arrested on suspicion of murder. Witnesses reported a large bonfire in the garden, from which police recovered bone fragments identified as human remains, along with a bracelet and rings belonging to Mrs Holland.
Senior investigating officer Chris Burgess described the crime as 'truly shocking,' adding that Mrs Holland was a vulnerable, well-liked woman who had shown compassion to Scott. 'The callous act of then burning her body on a fire in the back garden is inexcusable,' he said.
