Former CPS Case Worker Gets Life For Murdering Elderly Bridge Partner

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.