November 4th 2024.
Scott Paterson was a man who had a dark secret hiding beneath his charming exterior. He had befriended his kind landlady, Annette Smith, and gained her trust before brutally murdering her in her own home. The court heard that Annette was described as one of the kindest and most caring people by her family, and she had taken in Paterson as a lodger, allowing him to live in her home for free.
The two had even gone on holidays together and Paterson had helped Annette with daily tasks as her mobility had been affected by a stroke. However, her family grew worried about their relationship and the state of the house. They became even more concerned when they hadn't seen Annette in months and Paterson claimed she had gone to stay with a friend. Little did they know, Paterson had suffocated Annette with a pillow and hid her body in the bathroom, later dismembering it and hiding the remains in a storage unit.
To cover his tracks, Paterson had used Annette's email account to send messages and cards to her family and friends, pretending she was still alive. He had even lied to the police, saying she had left with an unknown woman. It wasn't until an investigation was launched in April that the truth was uncovered. Paterson had also stolen from Annette and racked up a large amount of credit card debt.
During the trial, it was revealed that Paterson had considered killing Annette multiple times before finally carrying out the act. He had also been under pressure to persuade Annette to sell her home, as her estranged husband had a stake in the property. But instead of seeking help or talking to Annette's family, Paterson chose to end her life.
Annette's stepson, Jason Smith, spoke about his love for his stepmother and the pain of losing her in such a cruel and senseless way. He had initially believed Paterson's lies about her disappearance, as he had been described as a gentle giant and a nice guy by others. But in reality, Paterson was an evil man who had taken away a kind and caring person from their family.
Judge Edward Murray, who sentenced Paterson to life imprisonment with a minimum term of 19 years and 178 days, recognized the severity of the crime and the fact that no sentence can ever make up for the loss of a loved one. Annette's family expressed their devastation and heartbreak over her tragic and senseless death. They remember her as a beautiful, caring, and generous lady who will always be loved and missed. The Agency will continue to provide updates on this case through our Twitter and Facebook pages, and you can also receive daily alerts by signing up on our website. Let's remember Annette and honor her memory by spreading the message of kindness and looking out for those who may be vulnerable.
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