Man found guilty of pensioner’s murder

David Clairmonte, of Thorn View Road, was found guilty of killing 69-year-old Frederick Hodsdon at his Vespers Close home on June 25 last year.

The trial began on January 9 and the jury heard how Mr Hodsdon had been found by a neighbour suffering from serious head wounds at his home.

Officers from the Bedfordshire and Hertfordshire Major Crime Unit launched a murder investigation when Mr Hodsdon died from his injuries at the Luton and Dunstable Hospital later the same night.

Shortly after Mr Hodsdon died David Clairmonte was arrested by officers at his address in Thorn View Road, Houghton Regis and was subsequently charged with the murder.

Speaking after today’s verdict, Senior Investigating Officer, Detective Inspector John Arthur, said: “Fred was a quiet and beloved elderly gentleman who will be sorely missed by his family, friends and neighbours. Clairmonte saw Fred as an easy target and his despicable actions, without question, caused Fred’s death. I am satisfied that the jury were able to come to the guilty verdict and my thoughts are with Fred’s family, friends and neighbours at this time.

“It is clear that Fred had been subjected to a vicious and sustained assault by Clairmonte to force him to hand over his ATM pin number and other valuables. Clairmonte used a hammer to inflict the fatal blows and the recovery of that hammer together with conclusive forensic evidence from the scene was critical to the investigation.”

Mr Hodsdon’s family said they felt justice had been done following the end of the trial.

Nieces Caroline Hodsdon and Vanessa Moore said on behalf of their family today: “Freddie was a very kind and gentle man who was so cruelly taken away by this evil individual. As a family we have suffered terribly knowing what Freddie went through before he died. We hear his voice, see his face and just find it exceptionally hard to remember the good times when all we can think about is how he suffered.

“Freddie was a happy, chirpy and good nature man who loved animals. Whilst in retirement he pursued his love of gardening. After losing his beloved wife Pauline he kept in close contact with his mother in law. Vespers Close is a very close community, the residents are all friends and have lived together for many years, looking out for and helping one another. Freddie was a dearly beloved member of this community and he will be sorely missed.

“We, as a family, would like to thank the Major Crime Team, the Crown Prosecution Service and all the court staff for all their support and hard work that has seen justice prevail. Our wish is that Freddie can now rest in peace. We feel that justice has been done.”

Mr Hodsdon was a widower and lost his devoted wife Pauline in 2005. Before retiring he had worked at HSBC where he was highly thought of and owned a butchers shop.

He lived alone in his Vespers Close bungalow and was one of seven children, with two brothers still living in the UK and two brothers living in Australia. He had four nieces and five nephews.

Beverley Coult, a friend of Mr Hodsdon said: “When Fred Hodsdon’s wife Pauline passed away six years ago, his world fell apart but he carried on living his life as he knew Pauline would have wanted. His first priority was his ‘family’ of cats: both he and Pauline were true animal lovers and at one time, along with seven cats, they also had two giant tortoises. Before retiring, Fred and Pauline both worked for HSBC at their training centre in Bricket Wood and Fred continued to be a regular visitor to his mother-in-law, Sybil Cook, at Bricket Wood. He always found time to pop over and help her in the house and garden, and to sit in the kitchen and have a good natter over a cup of tea. He would always do anything to help anyone, and will be truly missed by family, friends and neighbours.”