This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It last changed over 40 days ago and won't be checked again for changes.
You can find the current article at its original source at http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-norfolk-43226345
The article has changed 8 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.
| Version 1 | Version 2 |
|---|---|
| Peter Wrighton murder: Ex-soldier found guilty | |
| (35 minutes later) | |
| A former soldier has been found guilty of murdering an 83-year-old dog walker who suffered 45 knife wounds. | A former soldier has been found guilty of murdering an 83-year-old dog walker who suffered 45 knife wounds. |
| Alexander Palmer, 24, attacked Mr Wrighton from behind with a knife before dragging his body under brambles in woodland in Norfolk in August 2017. | |
| At Nottingham Crown Court, he had admitted being in the area at the time of the attack but denied murder. | At Nottingham Crown Court, he had admitted being in the area at the time of the attack but denied murder. |
| Palmer, of Cringleford, will be sentenced on Thursday so Mr Wrighton's widow can attend. | Palmer, of Cringleford, will be sentenced on Thursday so Mr Wrighton's widow can attend. |
| Mr Justice Goose said: "The widow of the deceased followed proceedings yesterday and may wish to witness the sentence tomorrow. She should be given this opportunity. | Mr Justice Goose said: "The widow of the deceased followed proceedings yesterday and may wish to witness the sentence tomorrow. She should be given this opportunity. |
| "It is inevitable the defendant will receive a sentence of life imprisonment - it will be up to me as to the minimum term he will have to serve." | "It is inevitable the defendant will receive a sentence of life imprisonment - it will be up to me as to the minimum term he will have to serve." |
| Palmer mouthed the words "I love you" to his family as the judge sent him down to the cells. | Palmer mouthed the words "I love you" to his family as the judge sent him down to the cells. |
| 'Kill strangers' | 'Kill strangers' |
| He showed no emotion as the jury delivered its verdict after 49 minutes of deliberations. | He showed no emotion as the jury delivered its verdict after 49 minutes of deliberations. |
| During the trial the court was told police were initially unaware of Palmer and concluded the victim had been attacked and killed near East Harling on 5 August by some sort of animal, due to his throat injuries. | |
| But a psychologist who had treated Palmer at RAF Marham read press reports of the case. | But a psychologist who had treated Palmer at RAF Marham read press reports of the case. |
| She contacted the force telling them she thought he could be responsible for the death. | She contacted the force telling them she thought he could be responsible for the death. |
| Prosecutor Stephen Spence said Palmer told medical professionals a voice in his head called "Little Alex" instructed him to harm people or kill them. | Prosecutor Stephen Spence said Palmer told medical professionals a voice in his head called "Little Alex" instructed him to harm people or kill them. |
| Palmer was injured as a victim of an assault while serving in the Army, the prosecution said. He left in November 2015. | Palmer was injured as a victim of an assault while serving in the Army, the prosecution said. He left in November 2015. |
| The incident appeared to trigger problems which required mental health treatment, Mr Spence said. | The incident appeared to trigger problems which required mental health treatment, Mr Spence said. |
| He said Palmer had told hospital staff: "I will plan out the method in my head, go to the desired place where I wish the scene to be set and then I will carry out the act of hurting someone. | He said Palmer had told hospital staff: "I will plan out the method in my head, go to the desired place where I wish the scene to be set and then I will carry out the act of hurting someone. |
| "It could be anyone that it happens to." | "It could be anyone that it happens to." |
| Mr Spence said: "Particularly of note was his desire to kill strangers - dog walkers seemed to be a particular bugbear of his." | Mr Spence said: "Particularly of note was his desire to kill strangers - dog walkers seemed to be a particular bugbear of his." |
| The court heard forensic samples from Palmer were discovered on a trouser leg belonging to Mr Wrighton. | |
| Referring to the samples, Mr Spence said the DNA evidence would have involved touching. | Referring to the samples, Mr Spence said the DNA evidence would have involved touching. |
| "Neither of these two people were known to each other," he said, and any idea that DNA was transferred via Mr Wrighton's dogs was "simply fanciful". | "Neither of these two people were known to each other," he said, and any idea that DNA was transferred via Mr Wrighton's dogs was "simply fanciful". |