Norfolk murder accused said he had no involvement in death

Allan Scott, 42, is on trial for the murder of Patricia Holland who had allowed him to lodge with her at her home on Lowestoft Road, Gorleston.

Norwich Crown Court has been told he burnt her body in a fire in the back garden in an attempt to fake the 83-year-old’s disappearance so he could continue living in her house.

On Tuesday (March 14) the jury heard extracts of five interviews detectives had with Scott - between July 26 and July 31 2021 - after he was arrested on suspicion of murder.

During the first interview, on July 26 2021, Scott was asked about his movements and those of Mrs Holland but, as advised, answered "no comment".

He did however answer some questions.

Detectives asked him what he thought had happened to Mrs Holland.

Scott said: "I don't know what's happened to her".

He said he could understand Mrs Holland's daughter being "worried sick" and told detectives he had also been "thinking about it all day" and was "very worried".

He said: "I don't know where she is".

He was told neighours reported there being a bonfire in the early hours of the morning on July 26 2021 and asked if he had a bonfire "in the early hours of Sunday morning".

Scott said: "No comment".

During a second interview, on July 27 2021, Scott was asked about the tenancy agreement he had with Mrs Holland and whether he was "trying to get her house".

He replied: "No, not at all".

Detectives said there was a "suggestion Pat wanted you to leave the house" to which Scott replied "no comment".

He was asked: "Have you hurt her Allan?" but replied "no, I haven't."

Detectives asked if he was sure and Scott said: "Yes, I am".

In another interview later the same day he was asked: "What involvement did you have in her death Allan?"

He replied: "None at all."

Police told Scott that rings had been found in the garden of Mrs Holland's home, including in a water butt.

He was asked if he had disposed of rings in the water butt to conceal them but said he had not.

Detectives said "there's no evidence Pat left the house on Sunday" despite Scott suggesting she had gone to meet a friend in the morning.

Scott said: "That's bizarre."

He was asked: "What were you trying to conceal?" but replied "nothing".

Detectives asked: "Where is Pat", but he said: "I don't know".

Scott was asked where in the house or in the garden had he concealed Mrs Holland but he said he had not.

Detectives asked: "Is she still alive?" but he replied "no comment".

Scott was asked how blood found on a footpath in the garden had got there.

He said: "I can only imagine."

Police said a hammer and fire grate were also found and asked if he had used either as a weapon to attack Mrs Holland.

He said he had not.

Detectives said: "Tell us what you've done to Pat."

He said: "I've done nothing to Pat."

Scott was absent from the dock on Tuesday as he was on Monday with jurors being told the case is continuing in his absence with his defence team considering it to be in his "best interests not to be in court at the moment".

Scott, of no fixed address, but formerly of Lowestoft Road, Gorleston, denies murder.

The trial continues.