GUILTY UK - Chrissy Ford, 71, found dead in almshouse, Flamstead, Hertfordshire, 27 July 2019

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A statement said: "In light of the recent tragic event in the village of Flamstead, the Flamstead Scarecrow Festival Committee has taken the difficult decision to cancel the Festival due to be held next week from the 9th to the 11th of August.

[...]

The festival has been running for more than 15 years and involves residents putting up scarecrows to be judged for charity around the village.

Festival cancelled as police continue investigation into high street murder

 

[Alyce]

I did wonder if they would cancel the Festival. A hard decision but very respectful of them to do so.

 

[Tortoise]

The 64-year-old is next due to appear at the court on October 18, for a plea and case management hearing.

A provisional trial date has also been set for January 27 for a period of at least two weeks, if Mr Coote pleads not guilty

Plea date set as Flamstead man charged with murder is remanded in custody

 

[Alyce]

He had a hearing on Friday December 13, but I can’t see any update on this

 

[Alyce]

Luton / 13-12-2019 - Causelist

https://causelist.org › luton
BRIAN WILLIAM THOMAS COOTE. For Pre - Trial Review 09:27;

 

[Alyce]

A village 'oddball' who murdered his neighbour when she spurned his advances has been jailed for life.

Brian Coote, 65, became infatuated with his next-door neighbour Christine Ford, 71,

But when she turned him down, Coote stabbed and bludgeoned the grandmother-of-four to death with a hammer at his home in Flamstead, Hertfordshire.

Coote was sentenced to life imprisonment for the murder - with a minimum term of 15 years before he can be considered for parole.

Coote, a gardener and car mechanic, had lived in Flamstead all his life with his parents, until their deaths.

Mrs Ford had moved to Flamstead from the Isle of Wight in 2014 to be closer to her son Mark, his wife and their two young children, who lived there.
She helped care for her 95-year-old parents and cooked meals for Coote, the court heard

Cootes' barrister Jonathan Woodcock said he was unable to provide the court with an explanation from his client as to why he had carried out the murder of Mrs Ford.

He refused to tell detectives who interviewed him why he had carried out the killing or speak to doctors while in custody.

Mr Woodcock said: 'It may be that he simply cannot offer an explanation because he doesn't have one.'

Mr Woodcock said villagers described Coote as 'not particularly bright' and being an 'odd individual.'



Man, 65, admits murdering 71-year-old hairdresser | Daily Mail Online