A man who admitted to killing his 74-year-old landlady before hiding her remains in a storage closet told police he thought he “could have gotten away with it if there wasn’t a body.”

Scott Paterson, 45, was a long-term tenant at Annette Smith’s home in Fairfield, Bedfordshire.

He began caring for her after her stroke but also stole her belongings and sold them online for more than £5,000.

He was jailed for at least 20 years as part of a life sentence after admitting smothering Ms Smith with a pillow and then dismembering her body on November 8 last year.

To cover up her murder, Paterson posed as Annette by sending Christmas emails and cards to her family and friends.

After initially hiding her body under the stairs, he moved it in a suitcase to a storage facility in neighboring Letchworth Garden City.

Det Ch Insp Katie Dounias, who is investigating, said: “Paterson, while in a position of trust, ruthlessly exploited Annette’s vulnerabilities which resulted in him not only taking her life but taking disgusting and deceptive steps to conceal his crimes.

“This was compounded by Annette’s efforts to gain financial gain by selling her belongings.”

The tribute paid by Annette’s family read: “We are completely heartbroken and devastated that Annette was taken from us in such a cruel and senseless way.

“She was a beautiful, caring, trustworthy and generous woman who meant so much to so many people.

“Annette, rest in peace with people who will love and protect you.”

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