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In March 2007, 71-year-old Hilda Brown was found dead in her home, the victim of a brutal attack. Her neighbour, who had positioned himself as her trusted helper, soon fell under suspicion, but the case was anything but straightforward.
Just two days before her murder, Hilda had signed a new will, making him the sole beneficiary. What first appeared to be an act of kindness quickly unraveled into something far more sinister, leading to not one, but two trials before justice was finally served.
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Intro music:
David John Brady - 'Throw Down the Gauntlet'
davidjohnbrady.com
Disclaimer:
The case discussed in this podcast episode is real and represents the worst day in many people's lives. I aim to cover such stories with a victim-focused approach, using information from publicly available sources. While I strive for accuracy, some details may vary depending on the sources used. You can find the sources for each episode on my website. Due to the nature of the content, listener discretion is advised. Thank you for your understanding and support.
References:
Baksi, C. (2011, June 2). Fingerprint standards questioned by Court of Appeal. Law Gazette. Retrieved February 3, 2025, from https://www.lawgazette.co.uk/news/fingerprint-standards-questioned-by-court-of-appeal/60748.article
Civil servant denies battering 71-year-old neighbour to death to inherit her house. (2008, December 3). Mail Online. https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-1091724/Civil-servant-denies-battering-71-year-old-neighbour-death-inherit-house.html
Civil servant jailed for killing elderly neighbour. (2012, November 21). ITV News. https://www.itv.com/news/calendar/2012-11-21/civil-servant-jailed-for-killing-elderly-neighbour
Criminal sentence - Peter Kenneth Smith - Nottingham Crown Court - Judge Stephen Kramer. (2008, December 12). The Law Pages. Retrieved February 3, 2025, from https://www.thelawpages.com/court-cases/Peter-Kenneth-Smith-2288-1.law
Criminal sentence - Peter Kenneth Smith - Nottingham Crown Court - Mrs Justice Dobbs. (2012, November 21). The Law Pages. Retrieved February 3, 2025, from https://www.thelawpages.com/court-cases/Peter-Kenneth-Smith-9666-1.law
Hilda Owen, 71, “lay dying for up to 24 hours.” (2012, October 15). BBC News. Retrieved February 3, 2025, from https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-england-nottinghamshire-19955662
Hilda Owen murder: 71-year-old “killed for her cash.” (2012, October 4). BBC News. Retrieved February 3, 2025, from https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-england-nottinghamshire-19837894
Hilda Owen murder case conviction quashed. (2011, May 24). BBC News. Retrieved February 3, 2025, from https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-nottinghamshire-13523288
Hilda Owen murder trial: Accused Peter Smith said he “would never have claimed under will that left me it all.” (2012, November 13). rssing.com. Retrieved February 3, 2025, from https://nottingham298.rssing.com/chan-4737531/article511.html
Lord Justice Thomas, Mr Justice Sweeney, & Mr Justice Spencer. (2011, May 24). Smith, R. v (Rev 1) [2011] EWCA Crim 1296 (24 May 2011). British and Irish Legal Information Institute. Retrieved February 3, 2025, from https://www.bailii.org/ew/cases/EWCA/Crim/2011/1296.html
McAlpine, K. (2007a, March 15). Police appeal to callers in pensioner murder hunt. 4NI.co.uk. https://www.4ni.co.uk/uk-national-news/60251/police-appeal-to-callers-in-pensioner-murder-hunt
McAlpine, K. (2007b, May 22). Reward offered in Nottinghamshire pensioner murder. 4NI.co.uk. Retrieved February 3, 2025, from https://www.4ni.co.uk/uk-national-news/62032/reward-offered-in-nottinghamshire-pensioner-murder
McDermott, K. (2012, November 21). Former civil servant killed frail pensioner, 71, in hammer and screwdriver attack after falsifying her will. Mail Online. https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2236426/Former-civil-servant-killed-frail-pensioner-71-hammer-screwdriver-attack-falsifying-will.html
Peter Smith denies Hilda Owen claw hammer murder. (2012, November 12). BBC News. Retrieved February 3, 2025, from https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-england-nottinghamshire-20306566
Peter Smith guilty of Hilda Owen claw hammer murder. (2012, November 21). BBC News. Retrieved February 3, 2025, from https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-england-nottinghamshire-20413934
Peter Smith Murder Trial: Man denies savage killing of Skegby pensioner Hilda Owen. (2012, November 12). Mansfield and Ashfield Chad. https://www.chad.co.uk/sport/football/mansfield-town/peter-smith-murder-trial-man-denies-savage-killing-of-skegby-pensioner-hilda-owen-2362877
Two sought after “brutal” killing of pensioner. (2012, April 13). The Standard. https://www.standard.co.uk/hp/front/two-sought-after-brutal-killing-of-pensioner-7080246.html
