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Carer killed man for inheritance Carer killed man for inheritance
(about 7 hours later)
A care worker and two men have been found guilty of murdering a disabled man in the hope of claiming thousands of pounds of his inheritance.A care worker and two men have been found guilty of murdering a disabled man in the hope of claiming thousands of pounds of his inheritance.
Greg Baker, 61, was found dead at his cottage in Alton, Staffordshire, in June last year after being suffocated.Greg Baker, 61, was found dead at his cottage in Alton, Staffordshire, in June last year after being suffocated.
It took a jury at Stafford Crown Court 12 hours to convict Thelma Purchase, 44, and her son Lance Rudge, 20, both of Sherwood Road, Meir, Stoke-on-Trent. It took a jury at Stafford Crown Court 12 hours to convict Thelma Purchase, 44, and her son Lance Rudge, 20, both of Sherwood Road, Meir, Stoke-on-Trent. Shane Edge, 21, of Cliveden Place, Longton, was also convicted of murder.
Shane Edge, 21, of Cliveden Place, Longton, was also convicted of murder.
Police officers described the murder as a "cowardly, callous contract-style killing motivated purely by greed".Police officers described the murder as a "cowardly, callous contract-style killing motivated purely by greed".
Purchase, who was not at court for the verdict after falling ill, was found guilty of Mr Baker's murder, and also soliciting to murder her ex-partner Kelvin Amos.Purchase, who was not at court for the verdict after falling ill, was found guilty of Mr Baker's murder, and also soliciting to murder her ex-partner Kelvin Amos.
'Community figure''Community figure'
The court heard how she had tried, and failed, to recruit someone to kill Mr Amos between 2003 and 2004 so she could benefit financially.The court heard how she had tried, and failed, to recruit someone to kill Mr Amos between 2003 and 2004 so she could benefit financially.
That evidence was uncovered by detectives investigating the Alton murder.That evidence was uncovered by detectives investigating the Alton murder.
Purchase was also convicted of perverting the course of justice after she tried to stop a witness giving evidence.Purchase was also convicted of perverting the course of justice after she tried to stop a witness giving evidence.
Greg Baker's body was found by another carer on a routine visitGreg Baker's body was found by another carer on a routine visit
All three had denied the charges.All three had denied the charges.
The month-long trial heard how Purchase, who had cared for Mr Baker, had hoped to inherit a share of his cottage which he had bequested in his will. The month-long trial heard how Purchase, who had cared for Mr Baker, had hoped to inherit a share of his cottage which he had bequeathed in his will.
Mr Baker, who was left disabled by childhood polio and also suffered from muscular dystrophy, was found during a routine care visit on 16 June 2007.Mr Baker, who was left disabled by childhood polio and also suffered from muscular dystrophy, was found during a routine care visit on 16 June 2007.
Police officers told the trial they believed Edge used a pillow to smother Mr Baker in his bedroom in the night after entering his home, which was often unlocked.Police officers told the trial they believed Edge used a pillow to smother Mr Baker in his bedroom in the night after entering his home, which was often unlocked.
'Cowardly and callous''Cowardly and callous'
The trial heard Purchase, a mother-of-three, had promised to pay both her son and his friend £8,000 each if they helped her carry out the murder.The trial heard Purchase, a mother-of-three, had promised to pay both her son and his friend £8,000 each if they helped her carry out the murder.
Mobile phone evidence linked Purchase to the Alton area at the time of the killing.Mobile phone evidence linked Purchase to the Alton area at the time of the killing.
The court also heard how Purchase first met Mr Baker, described by police as a "well-known community figure", when she worked as his main care worker and they remained friends after she stopped working for him several years ago.The court also heard how Purchase first met Mr Baker, described by police as a "well-known community figure", when she worked as his main care worker and they remained friends after she stopped working for him several years ago.
She had stood to inherit a substantial share of Mr Baker's £74,000.She had stood to inherit a substantial share of Mr Baker's £74,000.
She enmeshed her own son and his friend in her wicked plan to rob and kill a helpless man who had befriended her Heather Chamberlain, CPS Advertisement
Greg Baker was murdered at his home in Alton, Staffordshire
After his death, Purchase told officers Mr Baker was a "lonely man" she saw as a father figure.After his death, Purchase told officers Mr Baker was a "lonely man" she saw as a father figure.
Det Ch Insp Ken Raper said: "Although Mr Baker's quality of life was good, he depended upon other people to get him through each day.Det Ch Insp Ken Raper said: "Although Mr Baker's quality of life was good, he depended upon other people to get him through each day.
"He was vulnerable and unable to defend himself. Purchase abused Mr Baker's trust and friendship and tried to distance herself from his murder by involving her son and Edge."He was vulnerable and unable to defend himself. Purchase abused Mr Baker's trust and friendship and tried to distance herself from his murder by involving her son and Edge.
"This was a cowardly, callous contract-style killing motivated purely by greed.""This was a cowardly, callous contract-style killing motivated purely by greed."
'Totally defenceless''Totally defenceless'
Mr Baker's brother Tom Baker described the victim as a "gentleman, well-read, articulate and intelligent".Mr Baker's brother Tom Baker described the victim as a "gentleman, well-read, articulate and intelligent".
He said Greg had lived with their mother in Alton until her death in 1995 and had offered tutoring sessions to local children.He said Greg had lived with their mother in Alton until her death in 1995 and had offered tutoring sessions to local children.
He added at the time of his death his brother was "totally defenceless".He added at the time of his death his brother was "totally defenceless".
Heather Chamberlain, of the Crown Prosecution Service, said Purchase "enmeshed her own son and his friend in her wicked plan to rob and kill a helpless man who had befriended her".Heather Chamberlain, of the Crown Prosecution Service, said Purchase "enmeshed her own son and his friend in her wicked plan to rob and kill a helpless man who had befriended her".
All three defendants now face a mandatory life sentence, and will be sentenced at a later date.All three defendants now face a mandatory life sentence, and will be sentenced at a later date.