Gorleston man jailed for life after murdering sister-in-law and setting her house on fire
59 year old Paul Kelly Bridle will serve a minimum of 23 years behind bars
A man has been jailed for a minimum term of 23 years for the murder of his sister-in-law at her home in Gorleston.
59 year old Paul Kelly-Bridle, of Worcester Way, was handed life at Norwich Crown Court earlier today after being found guilty of the murder of 68 year old Linda Hood at trial last year.
Jurors heard how Linda was strangled in her house in Cherwell Way at some point between 10 June 2021 and 9am on 11 June 2021.
Linda's neighbours saw smoke coming our of her home on June 11 and used a spare key to open the front door, later finding her collapsed in the hallway with a head injury.
She was pronounced dead at the scene.
Kelly-Bridle was seen on CCTV walking along nearby Brasenose Avenue a few hours before the fire was discovered. He had booked a taxi to a shop in the area on June 10, before making the same journey in reverse the follwing morning.
Forensic analysis discovered Linda’s blood on one of his shoes and his DNA on Linda’s fingernails. His thumbprints were also found on the letterbox flap of Linda’s house.
He was charged with Linda's murder and with committing arson with intent to endanger life on June 29 2022.
In court, he claimed to be checking on Linda but panicked when he found her dead in the hallway.
Senior Investigating Officer Detective Chief Inspector Phill Gray, of Norfolk Police, said: “Linda was much loved by her family and well-liked by the close community of Gorleston and my thoughts are with them today."
“This is a terribly sad case – Linda was at home, somewhere she felt safe, with a man she knew well, and probably trusted, at around the time of her birthday, when she was brutally murdered.
"Kelly-Bridle has lied about his involvement from day one and continues to lie. I hope one day he takes responsibility for his actions.
“Our aim is always to find the truth and provide answers for the victim’s family and loved ones.
"I believe we have been able to do that with this investigation and I hope today’s sentencing, while it won’t bring Linda back, does offer some closure for her family and all those who knew her.”