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-beds-bucks-herts-20151531

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

Version 1 Version 2
Colonel Riley Workman murder: Former gamekeeper guilty Colonel Riley Workman murder: Former gamekeeper guilty
(about 1 hour later)
A former gamekeeper has been found guilty of the murder of a retired colonel in Hertfordshire.A former gamekeeper has been found guilty of the murder of a retired colonel in Hertfordshire.
Christopher Docherty-Puncheon denied shooting Lt Col Robert "Riley" Workman at his Furneux Pelham home in 2004 but was convicted by a majority verdict.Christopher Docherty-Puncheon denied shooting Lt Col Robert "Riley" Workman at his Furneux Pelham home in 2004 but was convicted by a majority verdict.
The five-week trial at St Albans Crown Court heard the 33-year-old confessed to the killing to cell mates while on remand for another offence. The five-week trial at St Albans Crown Court heard the 33-year-old confessed to the killing to cell mates while on remand for another murder.
He must serve a minimum of a further 32 years in prison.
Prosecutors said he had also claimed to have had an affair with Lt Col Workman.Prosecutors said he had also claimed to have had an affair with Lt Col Workman.
During the trial, jurors heard Lt Col Workman had died from a single blast to his body from a sawn-off shotgun which has never been found.During the trial, jurors heard Lt Col Workman had died from a single blast to his body from a sawn-off shotgun which has never been found.
Docherty-Puncheon, from Stocking Pelham, who was 24 at the time and known as Christopher Nudds, is alleged to have admitted murdering Lt Col Workman to cell mates while being held on remand in connection with the disappearance of Fred Moss. The prosecution said Docherty-Puncheon, from Stocking Pelham, who was 24 at the time and known as Christopher Nudds, admitted murdering Lt Col Workman to cell mates while being held on remand in connection with the disappearance of Fred Moss.
'Midsomer Murders''Midsomer Murders'
He was later convicted and jailed for life for the killing of Mr Moss, but denied confessing to Col Workman's murder. He was later convicted and jailed for life for the killing of Mr Moss, but denied confessing to Lt Col Workman's murder.
At the start of the trial, when Docherty-Puncheon pleaded not guilty to murdering the colonel, the jury of six men and six women were told by prosecutor Richard Latham QC that the case was a "whodunnit". At the start of the trial, when Docherty-Puncheon pleaded not guilty to murdering the Lt Col, the jury of six men and six women were told by prosecutor Richard Latham QC that the case was a "whodunnit".
Docherty-Puncheon himself, while giving evidence, told how the weeks and months that followed the killing were like something out of the TV drama Midsomer Murders. Docherty-Puncheon himself, while giving evidence, told how the weeks and months that followed the killing were like something out of the ITV drama Midsomer Murders.
Lt Col Workman, who was a widower, was shot dead on the night of 7 January 2004 after answering the door of his cottage.Lt Col Workman, who was a widower, was shot dead on the night of 7 January 2004 after answering the door of his cottage.
He was found by his carer the following morning.He was found by his carer the following morning.
Within hours of the murder, detectives were questioning Docherty-Puncheon, who at the time was a pest controller and rat catcher earning £4,000 a month and living with his mother and stepfather in the village of Stocking Pelham, a mile-and-a-half from Furneux Pelham.Within hours of the murder, detectives were questioning Docherty-Puncheon, who at the time was a pest controller and rat catcher earning £4,000 a month and living with his mother and stepfather in the village of Stocking Pelham, a mile-and-a-half from Furneux Pelham.
He had previously carried out work at the colonel's home to clear a wasps' nest, but denied any involvement in the shooting.He had previously carried out work at the colonel's home to clear a wasps' nest, but denied any involvement in the shooting.
Body never found
A ballistics expert was able to identify that the weapon used to kill Lt Col Workman was a sawn-off shotgun, but it has never been recovered.
With no evidence, police released him without charge.With no evidence, police released him without charge.
He went on to murder 21-year-old traveller Fred Moss, who was last seen in November 2004.
He was shot dead during a heroin deal, with his body, believed to have been burned, never found.
Docherty-Puncheon first admitted Lt Col Workman's murder after being arrested and held on remand, in Bedford Prison at the end of 2004, in connection with the disappearance of Mr Moss, jurors were told.
But it was not until a second cell mate came forward in December 2007 to reveal details of another confession that the investigation was reviewed and Docherty-Puncheon was eventually charged in July 2010.
Det Supt Bill Jephson praised Lt Col Workman's family after their traumatic ordeal which has seen them wait more than eight years for a conviction.
"We pledged we would never give up in this case and they've shown incredible strength, support and resilience throughout," he said.