Murderer jailed for killing 97-year-old

COURT: Judge describes gambler’s crime as ‘wicked beyond any description’

A man has been jailed for life for murdering a 97-year-old woman at her home in Fife.

Sandeep Patel, of Cardenden, inflicted a death “filled with confusion, pain and terror” on Kinglassie pensioner Annie Temple in October 2019, a judge said.

Sentencing the doctor’s son – whose victim was a patient of his late father – Judge Michael O’Grady QC said he had not detected “a flicker of remorse, regret or hint of humanity” from Patel.

“Sometimes crimes have the power to profoundly shock – I have to say, yours is one of them,” the judge said.

“To kill a 97-year-old woman who had embraced you as a friend in such fashion, in her own home and bed and with such cruelty is wicked beyond any description.”

Patel, pictured left, a chronic gambler with debt problems, had befriended his victim in an attempt to steal her money. He had cashed £1,500-worth of cheques in the week prior to her death.

He had then tried to pocket a further £1,250 two days before the murder but suspicious staff at Annie’s bank blocked the payment.

David Green, procurator fiscal for homicide and major crime, said: “Sandeep Patel took advantage of the trust fostered by his family’s relationship with Annie Temple and used it to defraud her of her money. When Ms Temple then discovered his betrayal, he brutally murdered her.”

Adoctor’s son from Fife who murdered one of his late father’s elderly patients has been jailed for at least 20 years.

Sandeep Patel suffocated 97-year-old Annie Temple at her home in Kinglassie on October 25 2019.

The chronic gambler had earlier preyed on Annie for her money.

The 38-year-old medical researcher was convicted in June of murder following a protracted trial.

He was handed a life sentence at the High Court in Glasgow yesterday.

Judge Michael O’Grady QC said he had not detected “a flicker of remorse, regret or hint of humanity” from Patel.

He said: “The least Annie Temple could have expected was a dignified and peaceful passing.

“But you robbed her of that.

“In its place, you inflicted on her a death filled with confusion, pain and terror.

“Those who practise in these courts see and hear the dreadful things human beings do to one another.

“Sometimes crimes have the power to profoundly shock – I have to say, yours is one of them.

“To kill a 97-year-old woman who had embraced you as a friend in such fashion, in her own home and bed and with such cruelty, is wicked beyond any description.”

Patel – who appeared via video link from prison – showed no emotion as he was sentenced.

Ex-insurance worker Annie – known as Nan – lived alone at her home in Kinglassie.

She was known to have only a couple of regular visitors, including Patel’s mother.

Jurors heard how the pensioner was found dead in her bed.

Police initially did not treat the death as suspicious.

Patel was quizzed by a constable and lied by saying he had not seen Annie the day she died.

Patel said Annie had been a patient of his father’s and that he had known her “ever since I can recall”.

He claimed he carried out odd jobs for the pensioner, including bringing bananas to her.

Annie’s friend, Wendy Bradbury, told the trial how she also spoke with Patel and he appeared “perfectly normal” when discussing the pensioner’s death.

Prosecutors said Annie had been killed with blunt force trauma inflicted on her head and body.

She was also said to have had her airways “obstructed and constricted” by means unknown.

Patel, who lived with his mother in Cardenden, was charged with murder on November 15 2019.

Mrs Bradbury told how the pensioner “did not trust” Patel.

The witness said: “She had money gone missing from her sideboard.

“She believed the money had been taken by Mr Patel.”

CCTV evidence also pinned Patel as being near to Annie’s home on the morning of the killing.

David Green, procurator fiscal for homicide and major crime, said: “Sandeep Patel took advantage of the trust fostered by his family’s relationship with Annie Temple and used it to defraud her of her money. When Ms Temple then discovered his betrayal, he brutally murdered her.

“It’s thanks to painstaking work by detectives and prosecutors that Patel has been brought to justice.

“Our thoughts are with Annie Temple’s loved ones as they attempt to come to terms with her murder.”

BEHIND BARS: Sandeep Patel showed no emotion as he was handed a life sentence at the High Court in Glasgow for the murder of Annie Temple.