A man has been jailed for at least 19 years for the rape and murder of a Glasgow woman in her own home.
At the High Court in Glasgow last month Jason Graham admitted beating Esther Brown to death after gaining access to her flat.
The 30-year-old had been drinking with relatives in the city’s west end on 28 May 2021 but was asked to leave the licenced premises after becoming increasingly aggressive.
CCTV later showed Graham climbing over a wall into a community garden and trying the door of a locked garage. He then was captured on film in the rear garden of the block of flats where Esther Brown lived.
Graham gained access to the 67-year-old’s attic flat and attacked her. He repeatedly punched, kicked and stamped on her head and body. He struck the community volunteer several times with pieces of a wooden chair broken during the attack. He also raped her.
Ms Brown died from blunt force trauma to her head and chest.Following the murder Graham used Ms Brown’s bank card to purchase tobacco in a nearby shop.
Ms Brown’s body was discovered four days later after friends became concerned when they hadn’t heard from her and went to her flat to check on her. Police were called after they received no answer and found signs of a disturbance.
Officers investigating the crime found Ms Brown’s landline and mobile phone handsets in the u-bend of the toilet in her bathroom.
Jason Graham was arrested after DNA found at the scene was linked to him.
At the High Court in Glasgow last month he pled guilty to rape and murder and was today sentenced to at least 19 years in prison.
Procurator Fiscal for Homicide and Major Crime David Green said:
“This was a shockingly brutal attack on a woman in her own home.“Jason Graham’s conviction follows diligent work by police and specialist prosecutors to identify the accused and bring this case to court.
“Our thoughts and condolences are with Ms Brown’s loved ones as they attempt to come to terms with what has happened.”