An
ex-Crown Prosecution Service case worker is starting a life sentence
for battering to death a fellow bridge club member – one hour before
the pensioner was due to leave for a cruise.
Gambling
addict Thomas Blazquez, 51, had quit his civil service job after
fourteen years of dealing with criminal cases and run up debts as his
life went off the rails.
He
lived with his parents in Onslow Gardens, South Woodford and still
left home every morning as if he was still working and there is no
clear motive why he murdered 77 year-old Rosemary Shearman.
Blazquez
arrived on the doorstep of her house in Platford Green, Hornchurch at
10.38am on September 3, last year as she waited for a taxi to take
her to Dover to set-off on a ten-day cruise of the Norwegian fjords.
He
knew her through the bridge club the widow was also a member of and
they had been paired together on a handful of occasions.
At
11.45am the taxi arrived and with the help of neighbours who held a
spare set of keys the property was accessed and the beaten body of
Mrs Shearman was found.
She
had been bound with tape and rope and repeatedly beaten around the
head and body.
A
large handkerchief was also forced into her upper airways.
A
post mortem later gave the cause of her death as mechanical
obstruction of the upper airways and multiple chest wall fractures.
She
had earlier returned from the hairdressers and her bags were packed
for the trip.
As
the shocked neighbours waited outside they became aware of a
silhouette moving around an upper floor bathroom.
When
police officers arrived they discovered Blazquez in the bathroom
covered in blood and suffering from self-inflicted wounds to his
wrists, abdomen and neck.
Investigating
officer Detective Chief Inspector Noel McHugh said: “The death of
Rosemary Shearman has been a huge loss to her family and the local
community, who are still coming to terms with her murder.
“Her
family described her as a typical loving grandmother.
“Blazquez
is a highly manipulative and evil man, who subjected a defenceless
woman to an unthinkable death.
“I
would like to thank Rosemary’s family and the local community for
their tremendous support during this very difficult investigation.
“In
particular, I would like to recognise the bravery of the neighbours
and emergency responders who entered the house whilst Blazquez was
still inside the property.
“In
particular, I’d like to praise the actions of Rosemary’s
neighbour, Raymond Lomas, who was honoured by the judge for his
courage and bravery.”
Greg
Shearman and Carol Lewis, Rosemary Shearman’s son and daughter,
said after sentencing: “We feel the sentence is some small justice
following the tragic murder of our mother.
“We
are relieved that the jury reached a guilty verdict and that a very
dangerous man has been removed from the community.
“We
pay tribute to the bravery of Ray Lomas, a neighbour of our mother,
who went to her aid and helped raised the alarm.
“We
also thank the murder investigation detectives and prosecution team.
Their tireless work helped secure the result at court today.”
Blazquez
denied murder on the grounds of diminished responsibility, but was
convicted by a jury at Southwark Crown Court and must serve a minimum
of eighteen years before he is considered for release.
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