Man admits raping and murdering pensioner Esther Brown in Glasgow

Jason Graham, 30, attacked Esther Brown, 67, at her flat in Glasgow's Woodlands on Friday, May 28, 2021.

Graham repeatedly punched, kicked and stamped on her head and body before striking her with pieces of wood from a chair.

He also raped her and left her dead in her blood soaked flat for four days.

Concerned friends contacted police after Esther failed to attend her usual church service, community hall and pre-arranged walk in a park.

DNA evidence led to officers arresting Graham who was being monitored by police after being released from a sentence for raping a retired nurse in 2014.

Graham, of the city's Govan, faces a life sentence after pleading guilty today at the High Court in Glasgow to separate charges of murdering and raping Esther.

Judge Lord Armstrong said: "You have been convicted of the most gravest of crimes involving the most depraved actions on your part characterised by the utter brutality involving extreme and sustained violence against a defenceless woman in her own home."

The court heard Graham was under surveillance after the release from his seven-and-a-half year sentence in June 2018,

He had earlier been kicked out of a pub on the day of Esther's murder.

Graham, who was unknown to the deceased, found himself in the rear garden of Esther's flat.

CCTV showed him going inside the block of flats around 6.57pm.

Esther meantime had been at Woodlands Community Cafe before going home at 5.30pm.

Prosecutor Alex Prentice QC said: "It is presumed Graham knocked on the door of Esther's flat and gained entry.

"He subjected her to a sustained attack, repeatedly punching, kicking and stamping on her head and body.

"He repeatedly struck her on the body with pieces of wood which came from a chair broken during the attack."

A post-mortem found Esther had "extensive bruising around the entire face" as well as a fractured nose and nasal bone.

She also sustained severe cuts to her mouth and bruising to several areas of her body.

There were cuts found on her hands "which could have been sustained as she attempted to ward off blows."

Bruising was also discovered which was "consistent with sexual assault."

Mr Prentice stated that Esther's cause of death was: "Blunt force trauma of head and chest."

Graham was spotted on CCTV purchasing tobacco at a shop at 9.19pm on the night of Esther's death using her bank card.

The hearing was told Graham called a relative stating that he "robbed the flat and panicked" and that he had "done something bad."

Graham stayed with the relative for several days until he was asked about a news article on the discovery of Esther's body.

The court heard Graham's "eyes went wide" and he looked "shocked" before saying: "I just robbed the place, I was looking for a turn."

Graham left the property claiming he was going to wash his clothes and said "they're coming for me."

Esther's friends meantime failed to hear from her as she did not attend her usual church services or community hall and cafe.

Mr Prentice said: "This was entirely out of character for her."

When she failed to turn up for a pre-arranged walk at Kelvingrove Park on the Sunday friends became "concerned" and attended her flat on the Tuesday.

A 999 call was made as there was no answer and her door was insecure - it was able to be pushed open with minimal force.

Officers later discovered Esther's body in the flat which had a "clear sign of a disturbance."

Blood staining was found on items in the living room and the bathroom as well as torn clothing.

Mr Prentice added: "There were footwear impressions in blood with the same pattern throughout the flat."

Swabs were taken from Esther's body which was a match for Graham's DNA.

Police attended the relative's flat and arrested him.

He was charged for Esther's murder and replied: "Aye, that's my reply, it's circumstantial."

Graham's QC Brian McConnachie told the court that there was nothing he could say that mitigates the offences.

He added: "Not withstanding his lack of recollection in relation to the murder, he does have insight to not only the effect the crime had upon those who knew her and her relatives, but also to the impact it had on the wider community at the time.

"He indicates his deep regret in relation to these matters."

The court was earlier told Esther lived alone but had a "fulfilling and rewarding life dedicated to helping others."

She was described as "exceptionally kind, passionate and caring."

Esther was an active member of her community and local church and there are plans in motion to have a lasting memorial in the area in her memory.

Sentence was deferred pending background reports until next month.

A week after the last sighting of her, officers arrested and charged Graham over her death.

Ms Brown has been described as a “much loved and active member of the community” and was devoted to St Silas Church.

Addressing Graham in court, judge Lord Armstrong said: “You now stand convicted of the gravest of crimes involving the most depraved actions on your part, characterised by utter brutality, extreme and sustained violence against a defenceless woman in her own home.”

Defence lawyer Brian McConnachie QC told the court Graham had “no recollection” of the attack, but has “insight” into the impact Ms Brown’s death has had on the community.

He said the accused is on medication for post-traumatic stress disorder in relation to a “traumatic childhood event”, and that he had consumed “a substantial” amount of alcohol on the night he broke into Ms Brown’s property.

Mr McConnachie said: “It seems to be clear that the combination of the drugs and alcohol have contributed to the offences.”

Lord Armstrong deferred sentence on Graham until November 12 at the High Court in Edinburgh for reports, including on his psychiatric history.

Graham, who appeared in court wearing a blue jumper and blue jeans, remains subject to Sexual Offences (Scotland) Act 2009.