Man pleads guilty to rape and murder of Glasgow pensioner
30-year-old Jason Graham admitted the crimes at the High Court in Glasgow earlier.
Last updated 15th Oct 2021
A man has pleaded guilty to the rape and murder of a Glasgow pensioner at her flat in May.
Thirty-year-old Jason Graham admitted attacking and killing 67-year-old Esther Brown at her home in upmarket Woodlands.
The court heard how Graham bought a packet of cigarettes with her bank card after her death.
The 67-year-old's body was found at her address in West Princes Street in Woodlands, Glasgow, on Tuesday June 1 after she had been missing for four days.
Ms Brown has been described as a "much loved and active member of the community''.
Addressing Graham in court, judge Lord Armstrong said: "You now stand convicted of the gravest of crimes involving the most depraved actions on your part, characterised by utter brutality, extreme and sustained violence against a defenceless woman in her own home.''
Defence lawyer Brian McConnachie QC told the court Graham had "no recollection" of the attack, but has "insight" into the impact Ms Brown's death has had on the community.
He said the accused is on medication for post-traumatic stress disorder in relation to a "traumatic childhood event", and that he had consumed "a substantial" amount of alcohol on the night he broke into Ms Brown's property.
Mr McConnachie said: "It seems to be clear that the combination of the drugs and alcohol have contributed to the offences."
Detective Superintendent Suzie Chow, of Police Scotland’s Major Investigation Teams said: “Jason Graham will now have to face the consequences of his actions.
“This was a brutal attack and one that left Esther’s family and the community absolutely devastated.
"It has been a harrowing ordeal for Esther’s family, her friends and those who knew her and my thoughts are with them as they continue to come to terms with her death.
“The response from the local community in the aftermath of Esther’s murder really demonstrated how loved and respected she was and I would like to thank them for their support, which was invaluable to the inquiry team.
“Whilst nothing can change what has happened, I hope this conviction will bring them some degree of comfort.
“I hope this sends a clear message that violence like this has no place in our society and will not be tolerated.
"Police Scotland will continue to work alongside our partners at the Crown Office and Procurator Fiscal service to make sure that any perpetrators are brought to justice and removed from our communities.”
Jason Graham will be sentenced at the High Court in Edinburgh next month.