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 https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-sussex-50376490

The article has changed 5 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 2 Version 3
Valerie Graves: Romanian man admits 2013 house-sitter murder Valerie Graves: Burglar admits 2013 house-sitter murder
(32 minutes later)
A Romanian man has pleaded guilty to the murder of a grandmother who was bludgeoned to death six years ago. A man has pleaded guilty to the murder of a grandmother who was bludgeoned to death six years ago.
Valerie Graves, 55, was killed in a burglary-gone-wrong at a property in Smugglers Lane, Bosham, West Sussex, on 30 December 2013.Valerie Graves, 55, was killed in a burglary-gone-wrong at a property in Smugglers Lane, Bosham, West Sussex, on 30 December 2013.
At Lewes Crown Court, 27-year-old Cristian Sabou, of Dej, Romania, admitted murder and was jailed for life with a minimum of 23 years.At Lewes Crown Court, 27-year-old Cristian Sabou, of Dej, Romania, admitted murder and was jailed for life with a minimum of 23 years.
Ms Graves had been house-sitting for friends when she was killed.Ms Graves had been house-sitting for friends when she was killed.
Prosecutor Philip Bennetts QC told the court that Sabou had entered the house as a would-be burglar, expecting it to be empty having been told a safe in the house contained a large amount of cash and ingots.Prosecutor Philip Bennetts QC told the court that Sabou had entered the house as a would-be burglar, expecting it to be empty having been told a safe in the house contained a large amount of cash and ingots.
'Extreme force''Extreme force'
Sabou had done jobs for the homeowners in the previous couple of months, he told the court.Sabou had done jobs for the homeowners in the previous couple of months, he told the court.
When he entered the home he found Ms Graves, and attacked her.When he entered the home he found Ms Graves, and attacked her.
Sabou struck her with a hammer, causing horrific injuries to her head as she tried to defend herself, Mr Bennetts said.Sabou struck her with a hammer, causing horrific injuries to her head as she tried to defend herself, Mr Bennetts said.
"The level of force used was extreme. Not dissimilar from the forces experienced during road traffic collisions.""The level of force used was extreme. Not dissimilar from the forces experienced during road traffic collisions."
Sentencing Sabou, Judge Christine Laing QC said: "Rather than simply running away in the hope you could not be identified by a woman waking from sleep you conducted this horrific attack on Ms Graves.Sentencing Sabou, Judge Christine Laing QC said: "Rather than simply running away in the hope you could not be identified by a woman waking from sleep you conducted this horrific attack on Ms Graves.
"It was your dishonesty and greed that took you to the house. It was your cowardice and lack of morality that caused you to kill Valerie Graves.""It was your dishonesty and greed that took you to the house. It was your cowardice and lack of morality that caused you to kill Valerie Graves."
She told him he would serve a minimum term of 23 years and 272 days.She told him he would serve a minimum term of 23 years and 272 days.
Ms Graves was a mother of two who was living in the Scottish Borders before moving to West Sussex to be nearer to family.Ms Graves was a mother of two who was living in the Scottish Borders before moving to West Sussex to be nearer to family.
In a statement, her family said: "We have had to endure six years of waiting, not knowing if anyone would ever be brought to justice for this cowardly act.In a statement, her family said: "We have had to endure six years of waiting, not knowing if anyone would ever be brought to justice for this cowardly act.
"Val, our mum, was very much loved by our family and is sorely missed by all of us. She was a kind and caring person who had little conflict in her life. Her murder was incomprehensible to us all."Val, our mum, was very much loved by our family and is sorely missed by all of us. She was a kind and caring person who had little conflict in her life. Her murder was incomprehensible to us all.
"Sadly, Val's mother passed away never knowing that justice has been served.""Sadly, Val's mother passed away never knowing that justice has been served."
Ms Graves was last seen alive at about 22:00 GMT on 29 December and was found in the ground-floor bedroom of the luxury £1.6 million property where she was house-sitting.Ms Graves was last seen alive at about 22:00 GMT on 29 December and was found in the ground-floor bedroom of the luxury £1.6 million property where she was house-sitting.
A post-mortem examination found she had sustained severe head injuries after being hit with a claw hammer, probably around midnight.A post-mortem examination found she had sustained severe head injuries after being hit with a claw hammer, probably around midnight.
Officers found the weapon 600 metres from the house in Hoe Lane.Officers found the weapon 600 metres from the house in Hoe Lane.
Forensic analysis of DNA from the scene established the suspect was male but no match was found.Forensic analysis of DNA from the scene established the suspect was male but no match was found.
In 2015 Sussex Police launched its biggest voluntary mass DNA screening in the force's history, asking all men aged over 17 who live, work or visit Bosham to provide a DNA sample to eliminate them from the inquiry.In 2015 Sussex Police launched its biggest voluntary mass DNA screening in the force's history, asking all men aged over 17 who live, work or visit Bosham to provide a DNA sample to eliminate them from the inquiry.
Almost 3,000 samples were taken. The screening eliminated more the 3,000 men from the investigation in which more than 9,5000 people had been interviewed by police.
Follow BBC South East on Facebook, on Twitter, and on Instagram. Send your story ideas to southeasttoday@bbc.co.uk.Follow BBC South East on Facebook, on Twitter, and on Instagram. Send your story ideas to southeasttoday@bbc.co.uk.