A tenant who killed his landlady and covered up her death by sending Moonpig Christmas cards in her name has been jailed for a minimum of 20 years.
Scott Paterson, 45, who had been living with Annette Smith, 74, for several years, later became her carer whilst she was recovering from a stroke.
He admitted suffocating the 74-year-old with a pillow in the house they shared at Fairfield Park near Stotfold, Bedfordshire.
Paterson, who was working at a farm shop's deli and butcher counter at the time, then dismembered Smith and hid her remains in a storage unit in Letchworth, Hertfordshire.
Killer dismembered landlady and covered up death by sending Moonpig Christmas cards in her name
PA/Bedfordshire Police
Following the murder, the 45-year-old posed as Smith by hacking into her email account and sending Christmas messages and Moonpig cards in order to convince her friends and family that she was alive.
However, suspicions were raised by her relatives who found the three kisses he put on the end of messages to be out of character. They subsequently alerted the police, who launched an investigation.
They discovered that there had not been any activity on her bank account, and her passport and clothing were still at her home.
Paterson was later arrested, claiming that he had considered killing Smith twice before.
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Paterson, who was working at a farm shop's deli and butcher counter at the time, then dismembered Smith and hid her remains in a storage unit in Letchworth, Hertfordshire
PA/Bedfordshire Police
Sentencing Paterson to a minimum term of 20 years imprisonment, Judge Justice Murray said: “You had been contemplating killing Annette Smith before you had finally killed her. This shows you had been thinking about and planning her death for some time. After you killed Annette Smith, you told elaborate lies.”
Smith’s stepson, Jason Smith, described his stepmother as a “very kind and caring person” who was “always there for me throughout the years”.
He said that whilst he initially believed Paterson to be a “nice guy”, but soon found out he was an “evil man”.
He added: “I will never forgive (him) for what he did, I hate him from the bottom of my heart.”
The pair met 14 years earlier when Smith offered him rent-free accommodation in her property in exchange for company and running errands.
Smith’s stepson, Jason Smith, described his stepmother as a 'very kind and caring person'
PA/Bedfordshire Police
Smith and Paterson had a close friendship, going away on holiday together and hosting dinner parties.
However, CCTV footage and other records revealed Paterson had sold his landlady's jewellery and some of her other belongings for more than £5,000.
He also revealed he had racked up £30,000 in credit card debt.
In a statement, Smith's family said: “We are totally heartbroken and devastated that Annette has been taken away from us in such a cruel and senseless way.
“She was a beautiful, caring, trusting and generous lady, who meant so much to so many people.
“Annette, rest in peace with those who will love and take care of you.”
