Man given life sentence for murder of Bournemouth lodger
Benjamin Atkins disposed of Simon Shotton's body in several locations
Last updated 26th Jul 2024
A man who murdered his lodger before dismembering and scattering his body around Bournemouth has been jailed for life with a minimum of 19 years.
Benjamin Lee Atkins, 49 and from Bournemouth, was convicted in May of the murder of 49-year-old Simon Shotton, following a trial.
Atkins had previously admitted further charges of perverting the course of justice and preventing the burial of a corpse.
He's been sentenced today (Friday 26th July), at Winchester Crown Court.
What happened?
Human remains were discovered at the Manor Steps zig zag path in Boscombe in August 2023, as well as further discoveries in the weeks and months afterwards.
An investigation was launched by the Force’s Major Crime Investigation Team (MCIT) and, after detailed enquiries and scientific analysis, the victim was identified as Mr Shotton.
Enquiries by detectives identified a phone linked to Mr Shotton had been sold at a Cash Creators store in Boscombe on the afternoon of Friday 18 August 2023.
A review of CCTV footage from the store showed Atkins and his partner Debbie Pereira, who were living together at an address in Aylesbury Road where Mr Shotton had been staying, entering the store and selling the phone.
Officers attended the defendants’ flat on the evening of Friday 1st September 2023 and both were arrested.
During searches of the rear garden further human remains were found.
Neighbours also reported seeing Atkins appearing to be burning items in the garden in the days leading up to his arrest.
A further report was received on Wednesday 6th September 2023 that more human remains had been found in a black suitcase in the area of Boscombe Chine Gardens, near to Boscombe Pier.
A post-mortem examination revealed a number of small puncture wounds to the victim’s back, as well as slash type injuries to his wrists and hands that appeared to be defensive wounds caused by trying to fend off someone wielding a knife.
The post-mortem also indicated that Mr Shotton's body had been dismembered apparently after death and extensive blood staining uncovered by forensics teams in the defendants’ flat at Aylesbury Road suggested that had taken place at the address.
Following disclosure made to his legal team by Atkins at a court hearing prior to trial, information was passed to police and searches were carried out in the Walpole Lane area in Boscombe from Wednesday 28th February 2024 and search teams recovered a number of bone fragments.
Sentence for Atkins' partner
Debbie Ann Pereira, aged 39 and also of Bournemouth, was found guilty of perverting the course of justice in the same trial as Atkins and given 4 years.
She admitted a charge of preventing the burial of a corpse during the course of the trial.
After the sentencing hearing, Mr Shotton’s family issued the following statement:
“All the family of Simon James Shotton would like to give a very big thank you to everyone involved with our son’s case.
“Also to the jury, who had to sit through some very unpleasant evidence - thank you to you all.
“Also a very special thank you to our family liaison officers Liz and George, who have been there for us all the way your support has been a great help to us all.
“There will be no further comments from the family.”
Detective Chief Inspector Neil Third, of Dorset Police's Major Crime Investigation Team, said: “This was an extremely complex investigation, starting from a point where we only had partial human remains and no victim identified.
“Throughout our extensive enquiries to firstly establish the identity of Mr Shotton, and then to identify those involved in his death, first and foremost in our minds has been the desire to secure justice for his family and hold Benjamin Atkins and Debbie Pereira responsible for their horrific actions.
“This was an abhorrent act and the impact upon Mr Shotton’s family of their loved one being murdered and then dismembered in this way cannot be underestimated. I would like to thank them for the dignified way they have conducted themselves throughout this investigation and the court process.
“I would also like to thank everyone from across Dorset Police who helped to investigate this matter and, with assistance from the Crown Prosecution Service, bring the case to court.”