Double-killer bludgeoned his elderly neighbour to death with coffee table

05 December 2023 , 16:47

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Pauline Quinn had at least ten impacts to her head, jurors were told (Image: Nottingham Police)

A double-killer used a coffee table to bludgeon his elderly neighbour to death and left blood stains on her ceiling whilst he was on licence in the community, a murder trial has heard.

Lawrence Bierton denies murdering 73-year-old Pauline Quinn, on the grounds of diminished responsibility. The 63-year-old had murdered two elderly sisters in 1996 and was released on licence in 2017 but recalled to prison the following year for “failures to address” his drug and alcohol misuse, jurors were told.

He was then released again on licence in May 2020 and following “concerns about his association with certain individuals” he was offered a bungalow next door to Mrs Quinn's rented council property in Rayton Spur, Worksop, in November the same year.

Lawrence Bierton pleaded not guilty to murder but admitted to the killing

Prosecutor John Cammegh KC told the jury today (December 5) at Nottingham Crown Court: “The Crown's case is that shortly after four o'clock on the afternoon of Tuesday November 9 2021 the defendant Lawrence Bierton murdered an elderly lady named Pauline Quinn in her home.

"Our case is that the violent manner of Pauline's death leaves no room for doubt that he intended to kill her. What is unusual about this case is that the defendant admits that he killed the deceased. What he did is not in issue. The issue for you to decide will be whether or not he was of diminished responsibility at the time."

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Saying that jurors may feel distressed at the evidence and urging them not to let emotion cloud their judgment, Mr Cammegh said bloodstaining on the ceiling and walls at the home of Mrs Quinn, and skull and facial fractures, proved the "visceral" nature of the attack on her.

During his opening, Mr Cammegh showed the jury a three-dimensional model of a skull recreating the injuries Mrs Quinn suffered, alleged to be the result of at least ten impacts to the head and four to the rest of the body. CCTV showing Bierton, who initially drove off in his victim's car, walking in the area was evidence that he appeared to be steady, purposeful, sober, calm and collected in the period after the killing, Mr Cammegh said.

Bierton denies murder but has admitted a charge of theft. The trial continues.

PA