Homeless man taken in as lodger by great grandmother, 83, is charged with her murder after 'partial human remains' were discovered at her home
A homeless man who was taken in as a lodger by a great grandmother has been charged with her murder after partial human remains were discovered at her home.
Alan Scott, 41, has been charged with the murder of widow Patricia Holland, 83, who was reported missing from her home in Lowestoft Road near Great Yarmouth in Norfolk on July 25.
She was last seen after officers were called to reports of a disturbance at her home on the evening of July 24.
Ms Holland, who walked with the aid of a frame and was described as a 'lovely little old lady', was reported missing by relatives who could not contact her the following day.
Alan Scott, 41, has been charged with the murder of widow Patricia Holland , 83, who was reported missing from her home in Lowestoft Road near Great Yarmouth in Norfolk on July 25
Pictured: Police at the home of pensioner Patricia Holland soon after she went missing
Specialist police search officers, coastguards and volunteers from Norfolk Lowland Search and Rescue launched a hunt for her in the surrounding area as concerns grew for her safety.
Police revealed on Tuesday that they had arrested lodger Scott on suspicion of her murder, despite her body not being found.
He was released on police bail later on Tuesday after being quizzed at the Police Investigation Centre in Gorleston, but he was re-arrested yesterday.
A Norfolk Police spokesman said today: 'Following extensive searches of Pat's home address, partial human remains have been recovered.
Ms Holland , who walked with the aid of a frame and was described as a 'lovely little old lady', was reported missing by relatives who could not contact her the following day
'Whilst formal coroner's proceedings will take place in due course, the family of Pat Holland have been informed and they are being supported by specially trained officers.'
The statement said that Scott had been charged with her murder and was due to appear tomorrow before Norwich magistrates.
Mrs Holland's family said in a statement released by police: 'Our beloved Mum, nan and great grandmother has been taken from us in a way which simply cannot be comprehended.
'This past week has been the worst imaginable for us. Mum spent her days trying to help others, she reached out to local people and wanted to make a difference in any way she could. We respectfully ask to be left in peace at this incredibly difficult time.'
Neighbours said that Mrs Holland, a widowed mother-of-four, had taken in the homeless man because she felt sorry for him and wanted to keep him off the streets.
She was said to have regularly befriended homeless people in the town, and was a regular at local church social banks.
Forensic officers spent several days last week hunting for evidence inside her house while police teams searched undergrowth near her detached home.
Coastguards and firefighters were also been involved in the search for the pensioner who had lived in her home for nearly 30 years.
Specialist police search officers, coastguards and volunteers from Norfolk Lowland Search and Rescue launched a hunt for her in the surrounding area as concerns grew for her safety
Mrs Holland whose husband George died in 1994 was said to be of a slight build and around 5ft 7ins tall, but walked slightly bent over so she appeared shorter.
Tracy Bessey, 60, who lives opposite, added: 'She was a lovely sweet little old lady and was quite vibrant for her age.
'She could only walk a few steps and supported herself with a frame when she was out and about.
'But she used to get herself to the shops, and would catch a bus or a taxi home. She would always wave to everyone at her gate.'
Mrs Bessey, a passenger assistant for special needs children, said: 'There were a lot of police here at around 1pm on Sunday and I didn't think any more of it.
'Then we came home later on Sunday night and they were banging on the door of her home and shining lights through the windows.'