Lodger jailed for life for murdering landlady who let him live with her for free

A man who murdered and dismembered his landlady has been jailed for at least 19 years after killing the ‘vulnerable’ woman in her home.

Scott Paterson, 45, has been found guilty of murdering Annette Smith, 74, who was described by her family as ‘one of the kindest and most caring people.’

The farm shop worker admitted to the crime and hiding her remains in a storage unit in Letchworth, Hertfordshire.

Paterson befriended the pensioner and began to lodge at her home for free before the murder after she invited him to move in.

They went on holidays together and Mr Paterson ran errands for her, including picking up her medicine and washing her as her mobility had been affected by a stroke, Luton Crown Court heard.

However, Ms Smith’s family grew concerned over the relationship as they had doubts whether having the man living with her was a good thing and the house was being neglected.

The family became even more worried after Ms Smith had not been seen in person for months after Paterson claimed that she had gone to stay with a friend.

To hide his tracks, Paterson used her email account to send Christmas messages and Moonpig cards to family and friends, pretending that she was still alive.

Her body was hidden in plastic bags

Eventually in April, an investigation was launched following concerns.

But Ms Smith had been killed already on November 8 when Paterson entered her bedroom and suffocated her with a pillow.

He left her in her bed before downing a bottle of wine and dragging her body into the bathroom and wrapping it in a blanket.

Prosecutors told the court he had continued to talk to her about ‘every day things like normal.’

He moved the body to a cupboard under the stairs after receiving notice that a photographer from the estate agent would be coming to take pictures of the house.

Paterson, who was working on a deli and butcher counter at a farm shop at the time, later dismembered Ms Smith’s body with a kitchen knife and saw.

He wrapped parts of her body in plastic bags and hid her torso inside a black suitcase, which he took to the storage unit.

Paterson told officers he had considered killing her at least twice before the crime and had only stopped himself at her bedroom door.

He also admitted to detectives he had racked up £30,000 in credit card debt and had stolen jewellery from Ms Smith both when she was alive and after murdering her.

But in a bid to hide his tracks, Paterson had even lied to the police, saying she had left the house with an unknown woman.

Detectives later discovered her passport and clothing were still at her home along with the laptop Paterson used to send the dupe Christmas messages.

The pair had become friends 14 years ago and are said to have become close.

Paterson was invited to move in after experiencing a ‘relationship breakdown.’

In 2023, Ms Smith’s estranged husband, who had a 20% stake in their home, asked her to sell the property as his business was struggling.

Paterson claimed that Ms Smith didn’t want to move but he ‘felt pressured’ to encourage her to go through with the sale, the court heard.

She agreed to speak to the estate agents who continued to market the house after her death.

‘A very kind and caring person’

Ms Smith’s stepson Jason Smith said his stepmother was a ‘very kind and caring person’ who was ‘always there for me throughout the years.’

He said Ms Smith was ‘very vulnerable due to her mobility issues.’

‘I consider Annette as my mother and I loved her dearly,’ he said.

He said he had initially believed Paterson about Ms Smith’s disappearance as he had been described by other witnesses as a ‘gentle giant’ and a ‘nice guy,’ while in reality he was an ‘evil man.’

He added: ‘I will never forgive (him) for what he did, I hate him from the bottom of my heart.’

Sentencing, Judge Edward Murray described Paterson’s actions as ‘awful’ and ‘callous,’ adding: ‘My sentence that I pass today cannot compensate for the families and friends of Annette Smith or her tragic loss.’

Paterson was jailed to life imprisonment with a minimum term of 19 years and 178 days.

Her family said in a tribute: ‘We are totally heartbroken and devastated that Annette has been taken away from us in such a cruel and senseless way. 

‘She was a beautiful, caring, trusting and generous lady, who meant so much to so many people. 

‘Annette, rest in peace with those who will love and take care of you.’

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