Bourton lodger jailed for murder (From Wilts and Gloucestershire Standard)

Bourton lodger jailed for murder

THE devout Christian who battered his elderly landlady to death with a frying pan in a row over unpaid rent has been jailed for life.

Loner Alan Buckingham, 52, beat tiny Winifred Farnham over the head before strangling the 82-year-old to death at her home where he was a lodger in Lansdown, Bourton-on-the-Water, in September, 2004.

He then dialled 999 and confessed to the operator what he had just done.

A jury of eight women and four men at Bristol Crown Court took just over five hours to reach a unanimous verdict of guilty.

On sentencing Buckingham, Mr Jeremy Cooke said: "You battered an old lady in anger. You lost your temper after a conversation over unpaid rent that you had not paid for several months.

"There are little aggravating factors that this was a spontaneous reaction but throttling her afterwards showed an intention to kill."

He recommended Buckingham serve at least 14 years before he is eligible for release.

During the trial the court heard how Buckingham moved into Mrs Farnham's cottage in September 2001. Mrs Farnham was popularly known in Bourton as Bubbles because of her outgoing personality and she and Buckingham soon became close friends.

Their relationship later deteriorated after Buckingham lost his job and subsequently failed to pay Mrs Farnham any rent for several months. He had written cheques but they had bounced, the court heard.

On September 20 last year Mrs Farnham confronted Buckingham about the outstanding debt he had accrued.

Buckingham had admitted killing Mrs Farnham but denied murder on the grounds of diminished responsibility.

Speaking at the time of her death, her sons Anthony and Christopher said in a statement: "Our mother was an extremely kind woman who did so much to help her family and friends in Bourton. She enjoyed going to church and had many friends there.

"It is very sad for her to have died in the extremely frightening circumstances in which she did."

Speaking after the sentence was passed Christopher said: "It has been a long and traumatic 14 months since our mother died.

"Mum was a very hard working, caring and loving lady, who loved life. Her personality touched everyone. She was easy to recognise in her flamboyant clothes and she treated everyone with equality.

"Alan Buckingham was no exception, he was treated like one of the family. Sadly mum's nerves did get the better of her at times and there would be disputes, not all mum's fault, that were quickly resolved.

"They were certainly no excuse for what happened last year."