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Version 4 Version 5
Peter Wrighton murder: Ex-soldier found guilty Peter Wrighton murder: Ex-soldier found guilty
(about 4 hours 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 Peter Wrighton from behind with a knife before dragging his body under brambles in woodland in Norfolk in August 2017.Alexander Palmer, 24, attacked Peter 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, near Norwich, will be sentenced on Thursday so Mr Wrighton's widow can attend.Palmer, of Cringleford, near Norwich, will be sentenced on Thursday so Mr Wrighton's widow can attend.
'Kill strangers''Kill strangers'
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.
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 heard 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.During the trial the court heard 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, where he served in a commando regiment, the prosecution said. He left in November 2015.Palmer was injured as a victim of an assault while serving in the Army, where he served in a commando regiment, 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, a trainee pathology laboratory services technician, were discovered on a trouser leg belonging to Mr Wrighton.The court heard forensic samples from Palmer, a trainee pathology laboratory services technician, 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".
Outside court Mr Wrighton's daughter Carole Todd, read a statement on behalf of the family: "The revelations of the evidence relating to the mental health of Alexander Palmer have shocked, astounded and angered us.Outside court Mr Wrighton's daughter Carole Todd, read a statement on behalf of the family: "The revelations of the evidence relating to the mental health of Alexander Palmer have shocked, astounded and angered us.
"Evidently an intelligent person, he was able to take himself off medication and get himself discharged from care."Evidently an intelligent person, he was able to take himself off medication and get himself discharged from care.
"We feel this should not have happened and mental health professionals failed him, his family and our family."We feel this should not have happened and mental health professionals failed him, his family and our family.
"My mum, brother, myself and our children not only feel grief but anger, as we believe this crime could have been prevented.""My mum, brother, myself and our children not only feel grief but anger, as we believe this crime could have been prevented."
A spokeswoman for the Norfolk and Suffolk Foundation Trust, which provides mental health services, said: "The trust can confirm that staff did, on more than one occasion, liaise closely with other organisations including the police to raise concerns.
"A full investigation incorporating the various agencies which have been involved in this matter is now likely to take place."
The trust said staff "acted appropriately at all times with full and proper consideration to the safety" of Palmer "as well as to the safety of others".
Det Supt Marina Ericson, who led the inquiry, said: "I believe Palmer to be callous and extremely calculated in his approach to Peter's death.Det Supt Marina Ericson, who led the inquiry, said: "I believe Palmer to be callous and extremely calculated in his approach to Peter's death.
"Officers first on the scene described the incident as an animal attack and I think that description is still accurate."Officers first on the scene described the incident as an animal attack and I think that description is still accurate.
"Palmer is a dangerous individual who was truly animalistic in his actions.""Palmer is a dangerous individual who was truly animalistic in his actions."