GUILTY UK - Linda Hood, 68, found strangled after house fire, Gorleston, Norfolk, 11 June 2021 *ARREST*

[MsMiniSleuth]

Paul Kelly-Bridle, 58, of Worcester Way, Gorleston, has [...] been charged with murder and arson with intent to endanger life.

The case was mentioned at Norwich Crown Court on Friday (September 24) when Danielle O'Donovan, defending Kelly-Bridle, said her client was currently unfit.

The court heard he needs to undergo further psychological tests to assess his mental health.

Judge Anthony Bate provisionally fixed a date for a trial, which is expected to last three weeks, for May 9 next year.

Kelly-Bridle did not attend the hearing while Karim Khalil QC appeared for the prosecution.

There will be a further mention in the case, although a date has not yet been fixed.

Gorleston man could stand trial for murder next year

 

[MsMiniSleuth]

The trial of a man accused of the murder of a woman in Gorleston has been adjourned until later this year, because of difficulties in obtaining psychiatric reports.

Paul Kelly-Bridle, 59, was due to go on trial next week charged with the murder of Linda Hood, 68, who was found dead inside her home in Cherwell Way, Gorleston following a fire.

But at a hearing at Norwich Crown Court on Tuesday (May 3), John Hardy QC, who represents the defendant, said that there had been difficulties in obtaining the required psychiatric reports to explore the issue of fitness to plead.

Mr Hardy, who is supported by Danielle O'Donovan, said "the case cannot proceed realistically on Monday" and urged the court to put the case back to later in the year.

Judge Alice Robinson adjourned the trial, which is expected to last four weeks, until November 14.

Kelly-Bridle, of Worcester Way, Gorleston is charged with murder and arson with intent to endanger life.

Gorleston murder trial put back till later this year

The trial of a man accused of the murder of a woman in Gorleston has been adjourned until later this year, because of difficulties in...

www.greatyarmouthmercury.co.uk

 

[MsMiniSleuth]

An inquest review has been held over the death of a woman found murdered in her home after a fire.

The review was held at Norfolk Coroner's Court on Monday (May 30) and heard the inquest into the death of Linda Hood had been suspended while criminal proceedings were ongoing.

Yvonne Blake, area coroner for Norfolk, set a new date of June 30 for a paper review of the case.

Mrs Hood, 68, was found dead inside her home in Cherwell Way, Gorleston, on June 11, 2021, after emergency services were called to a fire.

Paul Kelly-Bridle, 59, of Worcester Way, Gorleston, was due to go on trial earlier this month charged with her murder but the case was adjourned until later this year, because of difficulties in obtaining psychiatric reports.

It is scheduled to start on November 14.

An inquest into Mrs Hood's death was opened on June 23, 2021, when the cause of death was given as compression to the neck.

Inquest review held for Gorleston murder victim

An inquest review has been held over the death of a woman found murdered in her home after a fire.

www.greatyarmouthmercury.co.uk

 

[MsMiniSleuth]

Daily Courtroom List for Monday 14 November 2022

FINAL 1

NORWICH Court 1 - sitting at 10:15 am

HER HONOUR JUDGE ALICE ROBINSON.
HONORARY RECORDER OF NORWICH

NOT BEFORE 10:30 am

For Trial

T20217121 KELLY-BRIDLE Paul

3 weeks. Defendant to be produced.

CourtServe - Live Court Listings

Daily lists from the Crown, County & Family Courts, RCJ and Employment Tribunals for Barristers Chambers, Solicitors & Law firms

www.courtserve.net

 

[MsMiniSleuth]

A man is to go on trial accused of the murder of a woman whose body was found following a house fire in a Norfolk town.

Paul Kelly-Bridle, was charged with the murder of Linda Hood, 68, who was found dead inside her home in Cherwell Way, Gorleston following a fire.

Kelly-Bridle has also been charged with arson with intent to endanger life.

The 59-year-old, from Worcester Way, Gorleston, is due to go on trial at Norwich Crown Court on Monday (November 14) as part of a case expected to last about three weeks.

Man to stand trial accused of Gorleston woman's murder

A man is to go on trial accused of the murder of a woman whose body was found following a house fire in a Norfolk town.

www.edp24.co.uk

 

[TootsieFootsie]

Jury panel sworn in to try case of Norfolk woman's murder

A jury has been sworn to try the case of a man accused of the murder of a Norfolk woman whose body was found after a house fire.

www.eveningnews24.co.uk

A jury panel of seven men and seven women was sworn in on Monday (November 14) to try the case.

They were told the trial would not start today (Monday, November 14) as Kelly-Bridle was "unwell" and had been taken to hospital suffering from pneumonia.

But Judge Alice Robinson said it was hoped he "would be well enough for the trial to start later in the week" with the jury panel asked to return on Thursday, November 17.

Kharim Khalil KC appeared for the prosecution.

John Hardy KC and Danielle O'Donovan appeared on behalf of Kelly-Bridle.

The trial continues.

 

[MsMiniSleuth]

The Crown Court
at Norwich and Kings Lynn

Daily Courtroom List for Thursday 17 November 2022

FINAL 1

Court 1

HER HONOUR JUDGE ALICE ROBINSON. HONORARY RECORDER OF NORWICH

NOT BEFORE 11:00 am

Trial (Part Heard)

T20217121 KELLY-BRIDLE Paul

CTL: 25/11/22 FT. Defendant may appear via CVP link if unfit to attend.

CourtServe - View Crown Court List

Daily lists from the Crown, County & Family Courts, RCJ and Employment Tribunals for Barristers Chambers, Solicitors & Law firms

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[MsMiniSleuth]

A man accused of the murder of a Norfolk woman whose body was found after a house fire has appeared in court to deny the charges.

Paul Kelly-Bridle is accused of killing Linda Hood, 68, who was found dead inside her home in Cherwell Way, Gorleston on June 11 last year.

Emergency services had been called to a fire at her address.

The 59-year-old, from Worcester Way, Gorleston, who has also been charged with arson, was due to go on trial at Norwich Crown Court on November 14 but was unable to attend after being taken to hospital suffering from pneumonia.

However he was able to appear before Norwich Crown Court on Thursday (November 17) via videolink and enter formal not guilty pleas to murder and arson.

A jury of six men and six women were sworn in pending the trial, expected to take four weeks, beginning on Friday.

Man accused of killing Gorleston woman appears in court

Paul Kelly-Bridle, who is accused of killing Linda Hood, who was found dead inside her home in Gorleston, has appeared at Norwich Crown Court.

www.edp24.co.uk

 

[MsMiniSleuth]

A man strangled his sister-in-law to death before setting fire to her house to cover his tracks, a court has heard.

Paul Kelly-Bridle is accused of killing Linda Hood, 68, who was found dead inside her home in Cherwell Way, Gorleston, on June 11 last year - on what would have been her birthday.

[...]

Norwich Crown Court was told on Friday (November 18) that he had been married to Mrs Hood’s sister for 20 years until she died in January 2021.

Prosecutor Kharim Khalil KC said that on the day of the alleged murder Kelly-Bridle had gone around to Mrs Hood's home and killed her, possibly in an argument over money.

Mr Khalil said Kelly-Bridle was believed to have stolen cash. A £20 note later discovered in his home was found to contain Mrs Hood’s DNA.

Police also found her blood on a jacket and shoes at his address.

Mr Khalil said the victim had suffered facial injuries including a broken eye socket after being “hit forcibly about the head”.

“He then strangled her until she lost consciousness until her death. He then left her either dead or dying in the hallway,” he added.

The court heard Kelly-Bridle returned the following day and set fire to a chair in her living room in “an obvious attempt to hide the evidence”.

A jury of six men and six women was told that he had taken two taxi trips from his home to a One Stop Shop close to Mrs Hood’s home on June 10 and 11.

Mr Khalil said that following the death of his wife Kelly-Bridle, who was diagnosed with learning difficulties and has alcohol issues, had developed financial problems and run up debts.

The court heard he had cut off contact with a support worker, become more secretive and had been evasive about withdrawals of £900 over four days.

[...]

Man ‘murdered sister-in-law and set fire to her home to hide evidence’

Paul Kelly-Bridle is accused of killing Linda Hood, 68, who was found dead inside her home in Gorleston on June 11 last year.

www.greatyarmouthmercury.co.uk

 

[MsMiniSleuth]

A lot coming out now.

LH was his sister in law.

So not only did she suffer the death of her sister in the January, but just 5 months later was to die horrifically herself - and at the hands of someone she knew.

 

[dalsglen]

Norfolk murder accused was 'violent when drunk'

A jury has heard that a man accused of killing a woman who was strangled to death in Gorleston before her house was set on fire could be…

www.greatyarmouthmercury.co.uk

Giving evidence on Monday, MB - the sister of Mrs Hood’s late husband Alan Hood - told Karim Khalil KC, prosecuting, that Kelly-Bridle, who was her brother-in-law, was a "little bit violent when drunk".

BBM No kidding.

 

[MsMiniSleuth]

A jury has heard that a man accused of killing a 68-year-old woman, who was strangled to death in Gorleston before her house was set on fire, could be "a bit violent when drunk".

Paul Kelly-Bridle has gone on trial accused of murdering Linda Hood, his sister-in-law, whose body was found at her home in Cherwell Way, Gorleston after a house fire on June 11 last year.

Giving evidence on Monday, Margaret Burton - the sister of Mrs Hood’s late husband Alan Hood - told Karim Khalil KC, prosecuting, that Kelly-Bridle, who was her brother-in-law, was a "little bit violent when drunk".

She said that Kelly-Bridle had been to Mrs Hood's home before "by taxi" and had told her she could "go round his any time she wanted but she didn't want to".

The jury of six men and six women were also told by the witness that Mrs Hood was her “best friend” as well as being her sister-in-law.

They would go out together a few times every week and she had called Mrs Hood on June 11 last year, on what would have been her birthday, to congratulate her.

The court was told she tried to call her a couple of times but got “no response”.

[...]

Norfolk murder accused was 'violent when drunk'

A jury has heard that a man accused of killing a woman who was strangled to death in Gorleston before her house was set on fire could be…

www.edp24.co.uk

 

[MsMiniSleuth]

Firefighters who discovered the body of an alleged murder victim in her home found she had "a large volume of blood" around her nose and mouth and a "substantial" black eye.

Linda Hood, 68, was pulled out of her home in Cherwell Way, Gorleston, after neighbours alerted firefighters to an alarm sounding from her property.

[...]

The jury of six men and six women heard evidence on Tuesday (November 22) from firefighters who attended the scene, including Kevin Game, a watch manager at Great Yarmouth Fire Station.

He said after opening the door his colleague said "there's someone in there".

The crew saw a "body in the hall" with the feet closer to the front door.

Mr Game said they carried her out of the property to allow her to receive medical treatment, initially from the fire service before paramedics arrived, but he noticed there was "blood on her face".

Karim Khalil KC, prosecuting, read out a statement on behalf of Philip Soanes, a Yarmouth-based firefighter and lead trauma care trainer, who said Mrs Hood "appeared to be totally unresponsive" while there was a "large volume of blood and fluid around her nose and mouth".

[...]

A statement from Yarmouth firefighter Alan Churchman, who was trained in trauma care, said he recalled a colleague saying "something isn't right" and could see she had "marks" on her as well as "blood coming out from her mouth".

There were no signs of fire in the kitchen but in the living room crews found the "smouldering remains" of an armchair in the middle of the room in front of a door.

The jury heard a fire investigation concluded the fire on the armchair was "started deliberately".

[...]

Firefighters 'found Gorleston murder victim with bruised black eye'

Firefighters who discovered the body of an alleged murder victim in her Gorleston home found she had "a large volume of blood" around her…

www.edp24.co.uk

 

[MsMiniSleuth]

On Wednesday (November 23) a jury heard evidence from Diane Boggis, the former best friend of Kelly-Bridle's wife Denise who died in January 2021 after contracting coronavirus.

Miss Boggis said she and her partner "kept in touch with Paul" after the death of Denise, to whom he had been married for more than 20 years.

The witness told Karim Khalil KC, prosecuting, Kelly-Bridle was "quite in debt" and they "started to help Paul" with shopping as well as his finances.

She said he was "quite upset" after Denise's death and would call two to three times a week.

In her statement to police after Mrs Hood's death, Miss Boggis described how during a phone call Kelly-Bridle made to her after the fire at his sister-in-law's home, she had "asked if Linda was alright".

She was told by Kerry Taggart, Denise's daughter who was with Kelly-Bridle at the time, that Mrs Hood had "collapsed" and was "brought out of the house".

Kelly-Bridle, who was "upset", then said: "She didn't come out of the house, she was strangled."

Miss Boggis replied: "What do you mean she was strangled?" to which Kelly-Bridle said: "That's what Kerry said."

Mr Khalil asked Miss Boggis: "Was it right that you said Paul said she had been strangled and he heard that off Kerry?"

Miss Boggis said: "Yes".

Man accused of Gorleston murder told friend victim was strangled

A Norwich court has heard a man accused of murdering his sister-in-law told a friend she had been strangled.

www.edp24.co.uk

 

[MsMiniSleuth]

A man accused of murdering his sister-in-law in her Norfolk home told detectives he did not do it or set fire to her house to destroy any evidence, a court has heard.

[...]

Kelly-Bridle is alleged to have gone to Mrs Hood's home and left her dead or dying in the hallway, possibly following an argument over money, on June 10 last year before returning the following day and setting fire to her home to cover his tracks.

On Friday (November 25) the jury of six men and six women heard interviews given by Kelly-Bridle to police after his arrest, on suspicion of murder, on June 17 last year.

During interviews at Great Yarmouth Police Investigation Centre (PIC) Kelly-Bridle was asked whether he had gone to Mrs Hood's home on either June 10 or 11.

He said he had not.

Detectives asked him whether he "started the fire" at her home but he replied: "No, I didn't."

Police asked him: "Did you kill Linda?"

Kelly-Bridle replied: "No, I didn't do it."

He was asked whether he went back to her home to "destroy any evidence."

He said: "No".

Kelly-Bridle was asked if he went back to the property to "see if the fire you started had developed" but answered "no comment".

He told police he had gone to the One Stop shop on Brasenose Avenue, near the victim's home, early in the morning of June 10 to get some "foreign beer".

In a later interview Kelly-Bridle was told Mrs Hood "died from compression of the neck".

When asked what he could tell police about that he shrugged his shoulders.

Detectives asked if he did it and Kelly-Bridle replied: "No."

He told police he had gone to see Mrs Hood on two occasions since his wife Denise passed away on January 2 last year to "see if she wanted anything doing".

On the first occasion, he said he spoke to her at the door but on the second she was not there.

He said he had not entered the property or gone into the back garden on either occasion.

[...]

Murder accused tells police he did not kill Norfolk woman

A man accused of murdering his sister-in-law in her Norfolk home told detectives he did not do it or set fire to her home to destroy any evidence,…

www.edp24.co.uk

 

[MsMiniSleuth]

Jurors have heard the DNA of a man accused of murdering his sister-in-law was recovered from "her fingernails and around her neck".

Paul Kelly-Bridle, 59, has gone on trial at Norwich Crown Court charged with the murder of Linda Hood, 68, whose body was found at her property in Cherwell Way, Gorleston.

The jury of six men and six women have heard Mrs Hood died as a result of compression of the neck.

[...]

On Monday (November 28) the jury of six men and six women heard further interviews given by Kelly-Bridle on June 29 last year prior to him being charged with murder.

Kelly-Bridle was told by detectives that his DNA had been "recovered from under Linda Hood's fingernails and around her neck".

Jurors heard Kelly-Bridle answered "no comment" to all questions asked about that.

He was also told that Mrs Hood's blood was found on the shoe that he was wearing.

But when asked why Mrs Hood's blood was on his shoe, he again answered "no comment".

Kelly-Bridle was charged with murder and arson following that interview and was taken back to his cell at Great Yarmouth Police Investigation Centre (PIC) by Sergeant Jonathan Loud.

Sgt Loud told the jury he had asked if Kelly-Bridle was "alright" while returning him to custody.

But he said Kelly-Bridle replied "no" before adding "I wasn't the only one".

[...]

Norfolk man's DNA found around neck of murder victim

Jurors have heard the DNA of a Paul Kelly-Bridle, who is accused of murdering his sister-in-law, was recovered from "her fingernails and around…

www.greatyarmouthmercury.co.uk

 

[MsMiniSleuth]

[...]

Giving evidence on Tuesday (November 29) Dr Matthew Cieka, a forensic pathologist, told Karim Khalil KC, prosecuting, that a post mortem examination revealed "blunt force injuries to the face" of Mrs Hood.

Dr Cieka said these could be the result of a punch or kick, a weapon or a fall.

But the jury of six men and six women heard her injuries were "consistent with a blunt force assault to the face with fatal neck compression".

Dr Cieka said he discovered injuries around Mrs Hood's eyes, left upper lip and the right side of her jaw.
He said there were also fractures to her right cheekbone and "florid signs of asphyxia".

Mrs Hood's body had smoke staining but no burns.

Dr Cieka said there was no sign she had been alive when the fire started.

He said as a result of the asphyxia all the vessels in Mrs Hood's head built up with blood and "some of them ruptured".

The expert said the fact there were "two displaced fractures to the right cheekbone" showed there was a "significant impact to that side of the face".

Mr Khalil asked whether that would be the result of a single impact or more than one. Dr Cieka replied: "There could be more than one."

[...]

Forensics show murdered woman had suffered brutal assault and was strangled

A woman who was allegedly murdered in her home by her brother-in-law suffered a "blunt force assault to the face" and "fatal neck…

www.eveningnews24.co.uk

 

[MsMiniSleuth]

A jury has heard that a thumbprint of the man accused of murdering his sister-in-law was found on a front door letterbox of the victim's home.

[...]

The prosecution asserts that Kelly-Bridle went to Mrs Hood's home and left her dead or dying in the hallway, possibly following an argument over money, on June 10 last year before returning the following day and setting fire to the house to cover his tracks.

On Wednesday afternoon (November 30), the jury of six men and six women heard a number of agreed facts by Karim Khalil KC, prosecuting.

Jurors were told that a thumbprint belonging to the defendant was found on the "underside of the letterbox on the front door".

[...]

Mr Khalil also said that a fingerprint belonging to Mrs Hood was found on a £20 note recovered from Kelly-Bridle's home in Worcester Way, Gorleston, after he was initially arrested in connection with her murder on June 17 last year.

The prosecution is expected to close its case on Thursday (December 1).

Murder accused's thumb print found on letter box

A jury has heard a thumbprint of the man accused of murdering his sister-in-law was found on the letterbox of the victim's home.

www.eveningnews24.co.uk

 

[MsMiniSleuth]

A forensic scientist said blood found on the jacket of a man accused of the murder of his sister-in-law could have got there as a result of him hitting and strangling her.

Jamie Burke was called to give evidence in the trial of Paul Kelly-Bridle, who has been charged with the murder of Linda Hood, who died as a result of compression of the neck.

[...]

On Thursday (December 1) Mr Burke, who specialises in the examination of biological evidence - the analysis of blood patterns at crime scenes - appeared at Norwich Crown Court to describe his findings as a result of examining the scene.

He has analysed a grey jacket and shoes belonging to Kelly-Bridle and said both were found to have Mrs Hood's blood on them.

Mr Burke said samples taken from the cuffs of the jacket were found to have blood which matched Mrs Hood on one of the cuffs while on the other there was a "mixed DNA result", from both Mrs Hood and the defendant.

Karim Khalil KC, prosecuting, said it was the prosecution's case that Kelly-Bridle had killed Mrs Hood by "striking her to the face causing her to bleed from the mouth and nose area" and then "strangled her about her neck".

[...]

Mr Burke said while there could be a lot of different explanations for blood staining "contact blood staining is explainable by that view".

He told the jury of six men and six women if someone was strangling another person who was "expiring blood" then it's possible "blood would transfer to their cuffs and lower sleeves".

Mr Burke added: "The findings are what I would expect if these actions occurred."

[...]

Blood on murder accused's clothing could be from strangling victim

A forensic scientist said blood found on the jacket of a man accused of the murder of his sister-in-law, Linda Hood, could be from hitting and…

www.edp24.co.uk

 

[MsMiniSleuth]

A man accused of killing his sister-in-law has told a court he attempted to put out a fire in her home after discovering her unresponsive on the ground.

[...]

On Friday (December 2), Kelly-Bridle was questioned about what had happened on the two days in question.

The court heard the defence claim that Kelly-Bridle had gone round to Mrs Hood's home in Cherwell Way, Gorleston on June 10, spoke to her and left shortly afterwards.

John Hardy KC, defending, asked Kelly-Bridle what had happened when he returned later and discovered her unresponsive with "a pool of blood" alongside her head.

The defendant said: "When I went round, the door was open. I pushed it as it was already open anyway and found Linda on the floor.

"There was a fire in the front room and I tried to put it out with a pillow."

Mr Hardy asked: "When you found Linda on the floor what did you think was wrong?"

Kelly-Bridle replied: "I did not know at the time. I put my hands on her throat to get a pulse but there was not one. I felt her wrist and rubbed her hands.

"At that moment I panicked and just ran out and panicked outside."

Asked why he did not phone for an ambulance or the fire service, Kelly-Bridle said: "I do not know I just panicked."

Then asked by Mr Hardy why he had not phoned the police after discovering Mrs Hood on the floor, Kelly-Bridle said: "I was scared they would think I had done it."

[...]

Murder suspect 'tried to put out' fire at home of woman he is accused of killing

A man accused of killing his sister-in-law in Gorleston has told a court he attempted to put out a fire in her home after discovering her…

www.edp24.co.uk