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| Version 3 | Version 4 |
|---|---|
| Colonel Riley Workman murder: Former gamekeeper guilty | Colonel Riley Workman murder: Former gamekeeper guilty |
| (about 3 hours 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 murder. | 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. | He must serve a minimum of a further 32 years in prison. |
| Point blank range | Point blank range |
| Prosecutors said Docherty-Puncheon had described himself to two other cell mates as a "modern-day hitman" who killed people for money and had had an affair with Lt Col Workman. | Prosecutors said Docherty-Puncheon had described himself to two other cell mates as a "modern-day hitman" who killed people for money and had had an affair with Lt Col Workman. |
| The 83-year-old, who served in World War II, was in his pyjamas and drinking whisky alone in his cottage on the night of his death. | The 83-year-old, who served in World War II, was in his pyjamas and drinking whisky alone in his cottage on the night of his death. |
| It is believed he answered the door in the evening - at a time when gunfire was heard by neighbours - and was shot at point blank range on his doorstep. | It is believed he answered the door in the evening - at a time when gunfire was heard by neighbours - and was shot at point blank range on his doorstep. |
| Prosecutor Richard Latham QC said the weeks and months that followed the killing were like something out of ITV drama Midsomer Murders. | Prosecutor Richard Latham QC said the weeks and months that followed the killing were like something out of ITV drama Midsomer Murders. |
| Docherty-Puncheon, then aged 24 and called Christopher Nudds, had worked for Lt Col Workman as a pest controller and was questioned by police within hours of the killing. | Docherty-Puncheon, then aged 24 and called Christopher Nudds, had worked for Lt Col Workman as a pest controller and was questioned by police within hours of the killing. |
| With no evidence, he was released without charge. | With no evidence, he was released without charge. |
| Cell confession | Cell confession |
| His motive for shooting Lt Col Workman remains unclear, although the jury heard it was believed the war veteran knew Docherty-Puncheon's friend Fred Moss was involved in drugs. | His motive for shooting Lt Col Workman remains unclear, although the jury heard it was believed the war veteran knew Docherty-Puncheon's friend Fred Moss was involved in drugs. |
| Months after the Lt Col's death, Mr Moss was shot dead and Docherty-Puncheon charged with murdering the 21-year-old traveller. | Months after the Lt Col's death, Mr Moss was shot dead and Docherty-Puncheon charged with murdering the 21-year-old traveller. |
| He was on remand late in 2004 when, the court heard, he confessed to killing Lt Col Workman. | He was on remand late in 2004 when, the court heard, he confessed to killing Lt Col Workman. |
| In 2006 he was jailed for life for Mr Moss's murder. | In 2006 he was jailed for life for Mr Moss's murder. |
| 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, jurors heard. | 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, jurors heard. |
| Docherty-Puncheon was charged in July 2010. | Docherty-Puncheon was charged in July 2010. |
| 'Village in fear' | 'Village in fear' |
| Sentencing Docherty-Puncheon, Mr Justice John Saunders said Lt Col Workman had been in poor health and "had neither the capacity nor the opportunity to defend himself". | |
| "It was a terrible crime and people living in that rural community were shocked by the gunning down in cold blood of one of their elderly neighbours," he added. | "It was a terrible crime and people living in that rural community were shocked by the gunning down in cold blood of one of their elderly neighbours," he added. |
| "Such an event is bound to create feelings of fear among residents which can continue for a long time." | "Such an event is bound to create feelings of fear among residents which can continue for a long time." |
| He said the two murders were connected but said none of the reasons for Lt Col Workman's murder had "been proved to my satisfaction". | He said the two murders were connected but said none of the reasons for Lt Col Workman's murder had "been proved to my satisfaction". |
| 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. | 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. | "We pledged we would never give up in this case and they've shown incredible strength, support and resilience throughout," he said. |
| A statement issued by Lt Col Workman's family in Australia said: "Riley was a loving and loyal man who is remembered fondly by all his family and friends. | A statement issued by Lt Col Workman's family in Australia said: "Riley was a loving and loyal man who is remembered fondly by all his family and friends. |
| "Since his murder, we have struggled to come to terms with how someone could so brutally kill another human being, particularly a defenceless 83-year-old who was so frail and desolate at the loss of his beloved wife." | "Since his murder, we have struggled to come to terms with how someone could so brutally kill another human being, particularly a defenceless 83-year-old who was so frail and desolate at the loss of his beloved wife." |